While Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t expected to request a trade before the NBA Draft or the start of free agency, the Milwaukee Bucks may still need to initiate difficult conversations about what a future without their franchise cornerstone could look like. The Warriors, Rockets, Knicks, and Spurs have all been rumored destinations for the Greek Freak. But if you think the Rockets’ acquiring Kevin Durant puts a dent in the plan, then you are wrong. The Houston side is still very much an active place and can easily make the deal.

So, how can they bring the deal for 2x MVP to fruition? Houston Rockets receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Bucks receive: Fred VanVleet, Reed Sheppard, and 5 first-round picks. This was Nick Wright’s idea, and he detailed his reasoning. “I think, oddly, they actually still, if he were to come available mid-season, might have the ability to still trade for Giannis. You could make a trade if you’re the Rockets, where you are sending out Fred Van Vleet, Reed Shepard, and Brooklyn’s first in 2027, Phoenix’s first in 2027, Dallas’s first in 2029, Phoenix’s first in 2029, and Houston’s first, their own first in 2030. Those are valuable prime first round picks.”

The Bucks lack control of their first-round draft picks for the next five years due to past trades. So this deal will sort that issue out. But it’s not a guarantee yet that the Rockets will move ahead with this idea. But a duo of KD and Giannis is still a possibility. “I don’t think they’re going to do that. But the point is, it’s not like by going for Durant, they punted on any chance at Giannis. And I think that’s very useful.” Pairing him with KD, Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Ime Udoka could finally unlock a true title push in the West.

As stated earlier, the 30-year-old has not requested the trade yet. In fact, he has focused on off-season training alongside his family members. In an Instagram post, Giannis added, ” 🩵🤍💛🧡💙🩷💚🤎❤️” in the caption. However, the focus was on the t-shirt he wore, “Protect kids not g—.” This symbolic gesture aligns with June being designated as National G– Violence Awareness Month. Being a father of four, his choice of message reinforces the active participation in protecting youth across all communities.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Houston gets another validation

He was not alone in the workouts, as Thanasis, who announced his comeback in May, was shooting alongside. Since 2019, both brothers have been teammates on the Milwaukee Bucks roster. This partnership, unfortunately, was put to a halt after Thanasis sustained a torn Achilles’ tendon back in May 2024 and missed the entire 2024-25 season. The elder brother uploaded the post of training with Giannis in Athens, Greece, their native place.

Right now, he is not in Milwaukee, but will that be the future that we can expect? Renowned NBA analyst Bill Simmons and former ESPN host Ryen Russillo feel so. Simmons believes the Houston Rockets could make a move for Giannis Antetokounmpo. “Giannis is not getting traded this summer, but if it’s January, and they’re 15, the Bucks are 15 and 25, and he’s like, ‘You know what? This sucks. Let’s… It’s time’. They still have their chance.”

For now, as per the 55-year-old analyst, the timeline for trade is not imminent. But with other teams making moves like the Rockets getting KD and the Celtics trading away Porzingis and Holiday, the Bucks might have to act fast. Any team can put together a package to tempt the Bucks, but they have to be sure about the future without Giannis Antetokounmpo.