Why the Rockets Are Staying Patient in the Giannis Antetokounmpo Sweepstakes
Before Houston landed Kevin Durant in the 2025 offseason, there were rumblings that the Rockets had their eyes on another superstar-Giannis Antetokounmpo. But those talks never got off the ground.
The two-time MVP didn’t formally request a trade, and the Bucks weren’t ready to entertain offers. Fast forward to now, and with Milwaukee sliding in the standings and the trade deadline fast approaching, the Giannis rumor mill is back in motion.
Milwaukee’s current struggles-an 18-27 record and sitting outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture-have naturally sparked questions about whether it’s time for the Bucks to consider a full reset. But if you're hoping for Houston to jump back into the mix for Antetokounmpo, don’t hold your breath.
According to reporting from The Hoop Collective podcast, the Rockets are holding firm to their long-term plan. When asked if there’s been any shift in their approach, the response was short and telling: “As patient as ever.” That’s been Houston’s M.O. for a while now-wait for the right opportunity, don’t force the timeline, and make sure every move fits the broader vision.
Even the Durant trade, which turned heads at the time, was consistent with that philosophy. The Rockets waited until the price dropped, acquired a generational scorer without gutting their young core, and kept their long-term flexibility intact.
Durant came at a relative bargain because of his age (37) and contract situation. The Suns didn’t have much leverage.
The Giannis situation? That’s a different ballgame.
At 31, Antetokounmpo is still playing at an All-Star level, which means the Bucks can-and likely will-demand a haul in return. That would almost certainly include a mix of draft capital and at least one of Houston’s top young talents. And that’s where things get tricky.
Amen Thompson (22) and Alperen Sengun (23) have emerged as foundational pieces for Houston. Both are still years away from their prime, and both have shown flashes of becoming stars in their own right. Trading either one for a 31-year-old-no matter how dominant-would be a major shift in direction and could shorten the Rockets' title window considerably.
There’s also the development curve to consider. Thompson and Sengun are still ascending.
Giannis, while still elite, is likely past the point of making major leaps in his game. That’s not a knock-it’s just the nature of aging in the NBA.
If Houston’s current group is already winning at a high level (the team sits at 28-16, just one game back in the loss column from the No. 2 seed in the West), there’s a strong argument for staying the course.
General manager Rafael Stone has shown he’s willing to make bold moves, but only when the price is right and the fit makes sense. The Durant trade didn’t cost the Rockets either of their top two young players.
Jalen Green, the main piece going out, wasn’t viewed on the same tier as Sengun or Thompson. That deal didn’t compromise Houston’s future.
A Giannis trade likely would.
And right now, the market for Antetokounmpo heavily favors Milwaukee. They don’t have to move him, and they’ll only do so if someone meets a sky-high asking price. That’s not the kind of scenario where Houston, with its young core and upward trajectory, is likely to push all its chips in.
Could things change down the line? Of course.
If the Rockets hit a rough patch or if the Bucks lower their demands, the calculus could shift. But with the trade deadline just eight days away, that kind of pivot seems unlikely.
For now, Houston is betting on youth, continuity, and internal growth. And given the way this team is playing, that patience doesn’t just make sense-it might be the smartest move in the league.