NBA Trade Idea Sends Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo To Rockets

June 8, 2025

If Giannis Antetokounmpo requests a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason, one NBA analyst came up with a trade idea that sends the future Hall of Famer to the Houston Rockets.

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed that the Rockets trade Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, a 2027 first-round pick (via Phoenix), a 2028 first-round pick swap, a 2030 first-round pick and a 2032 first-round pick to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo.

“There has been plenty of speculation already as to how the Houston Rockets might be able to land Giannis without giving up Amen Thompson, but the deal could be a lot cleaner by simply including him,” Bailey wrote. “Yes, that would hurt. But the chances of Thompson becoming a multi-time MVP are pretty low, even if he does have plenty of star potential.

“Trading him, Fred VanVleet (and his hefty salary) and a boatload of picks for Giannis would give the Rockets one of the best starting frontcourts in the league. He and Alperen Şengün can play together. And the roster would still have plenty of upside with Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard.”

Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the NBA. He averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks for the Bucks this season while shooting 60.1% from the field and 61.7% from the free-throw line. The Greek Freak made the All-NBA First Team.

Antetokounmpo, 30, will make $54,126,380 next season. The Bucks signed the forward to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023.

Antetokounmpo has spent his entire career with the Bucks, who have won only one postseason series since winning the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns.

Milwaukee lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of this year’s playoffs in five games, while Houston lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round in seven games.

Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Star. He has career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks.