Nick Wright Explains How Rockets Can Still Acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo After Kevin Durant Trade

The Houston Rockets have pulled off what is likely to be the biggest trade of this summer by acquiring Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. The Rockets did not have to give up a lot for Durant, though, and Nick Wright stated on What’s Wright? with Nick Wright that they are now in a position to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo as well.

"I think, oddly, they actually still, if he were to come available midseason, might have the ability to still trade for Giannis," Wright said. "You could make a trade if you're the Rockets, where you're sending out Fred VanVleet, Reed Sheppard, and Brooklyn's first in 2027, Phoenix's first in 2027, Dallas' first in 2029, Phoenix's first in 2029, and Houston's first, their own first, in 2030.

"Those are valuable, prime first-round picks," Wright continued. "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."

Wright isn't the only one who believes the Rockets can make another big move after acquiring Durant. Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor reckons they can make a compelling offer for Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, or anyone else, for that matter.   

This is possible thanks to the Rockets only having to give up Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks for Durant. Teams are usually unable to acquire superstars one after the other because the first move leaves them with no draft capital. The Rockets, though, have five valuable picks left.  

The Rockets could also include one of Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore, or Tari Eason in the package if the Milwaukee Bucks ask for another promising young talent. Also, even if the Bucks want Alperen Sengun instead of Fred VanVleet, Houston would still be left with a core that can win it all. 

You'd have Durant and Antetokounmpo surrounded by Amen Thompson, VanVleet, Steven Adams, and some of those young players. The Rockets will be great next season, even if they don't acquire Antetokounmpo, but they'd be a juggernaut with him.

Anteokounmpo averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game for the Bucks in 2024-25. The nine-time All-Star finished third in MVP voting for the third time in the last four seasons and would make the Rockets the clear favorites in the West.

All that said, Antetokounmpo has to ask for a trade from the Bucks for a deal to happen, and there is no guarantee he'll do that. A parting of ways had seemed likely a few weeks ago, but that's no longer the case now.

NBA insider Brian Windhorst reported that there is no trade market now for Antetokounmpo. It looks like he's giving the Bucks another chance to build a competitive roster around him that would give him a chance to win his second NBA title.

The Bucks have been eliminated in the first round in each of the last three seasons. While injuries played a big part in that, the present and the future just don't look too bright in Milwaukee at present. Will Antetokounmpo ask out if the Bucks struggle in 2025-26 and potentially put a move to the Rockets in motion? Time will tell.