Getty
Tari Eason and Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets battle for the ball with Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Houston Rockets have the assets, the flexibility and the urgency to pursue a generational upgrade. On paper, few teams in the NBA are better positioned to construct a competitive offer for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
But according to longtime NBA insider Marc Stein, Houston is more committed to developing its current core than detonating the foundation to chase the two-time MVP.
Rockets Expected to Stay the Course Amid Giannis Rumors
Stein reported this week that teams monitoring the superstar trade landscape increasingly believe that San Antonio, Houston and Oklahoma City—three franchises armed with elite young talent and an overflow of draft capital—are unlikely to enter the bidding even if the Bucks open discussions.
“There is a growing belief among trade-trackers that San Antonio and Houston, like Oklahoma City, do not plan to join the chase for Antetokounmpo,” Stein wrote. “All three of those teams, as you can imagine, like what they have going.”
Stein added that some teams anticipate Milwaukee will consider offers for Antetokounmpo in January, ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline. But the clock will not start until the franchise receives direct instructions from Antetokounmpo himself.
“The belief here at Stein Line HQ remains that it won’t happen until Giannis clearly directs the Bucks to do so,” Stein wrote.
Until then, Milwaukee is publicly and privately positioning itself as a team still committed to winning with its superstar—despite a rocky 11–16 start and mounting pressure inside the organization.
Why the Rockets Could Make a Monster Offer—But Won’t
GettyKevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets pose for a photo during the NBA Media Day at Toyota Center.
At 16–6, the Rockets sit near the top of the Western Conference standings with the league’s No. 2 defense and No. 4 offense—metrics historically tied to NBA champions.
Internally, optimism is high. And while Kevin Durant turning 37 this season shortens Houston’s championship runway, the franchise believes in the ascendence of its young core, particularly Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun.
Still, ESPN’s Zach Kram detailed what a legitimate Rockets offer could look like if Houston were to seriously pursue Antetokounmpo:
Proposed Rockets Package
Houston Rockets get:
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Bucks get:
Alperen Sengun
Fred VanVleet
2027 first-round pick (unprotected, via Suns)
Kram argued that while Sengun has blossomed into one of the NBA’s most creative offensive centers, the upgrade from Sengun to Antetokounmpo would be seismic.
“For all of Sengun’s many strengths, his efficiency is still only average, while Antetokounmpo is one of the most efficient, highest-usage scorers in NBA history,” Kram wrote. “He would fit perfectly in Houston’s physical, paint-based offense while supplying the same sort of frontcourt playmaking as Sengun.”
For Milwaukee, Sengun would represent the best young player they could realistically acquire—a 23-year-old potential All-Star to build around while their future draft cupboard remains nearly empty.
Why Houston Is Choosing Continuity Over a Blockbuster Gamble
The key factor: Houston could chase Giannis without sacrificing its entire youth pipeline. Even after sending Sengun and a pick, the Rockets would still retain Thompson, Smith Jr., and key rotation depth.
A hypothetical Giannis–Durant–Smith frontcourt supported by Thompson would instantly rival Oklahoma City’s size, speed, and defensive ceiling.
Yet despite that tantalizing opportunity, Houston appears committed to its developmental arc—not a massive short-term swing.
Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has repeatedly expressed confidence in its young core and the team’s current timeline. They added Durant in the offseason for cheap and they knew Antetokounmpo would cost more.
With the championship odds favoring depth over a top-heavy roster, the Rockets are choosing to keep what they have going—even if a once-in-a-generation chance becomes available.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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