“I think Houston would be the most interested and invested in going to get him,” Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix says of potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade suitors.
On a newly released episode of Open Floor: Sports Illustrated’s NBA podcast, veteran league insider Chris Mannix said he believes the Houston Rockets will be the most interested trade suitor for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“I think Houston would be the most interested and invested in going to get him,” said Mannix, who has ties with Rockets head coach Ime Udoka dating back to his Boston head coaching stint (where Mannix is based).
Regarding what a potential Bucks-Rockets deal might look like, Mannix said on SI’s show:
Everything not named Amen Thompson, and just do it. Jalen Green’s contract… I think they’d probably like to hold on to Alperen Sengun, but they could put together a deal that would probably appeal to Milwaukee.
Other rumored suitors have included teams such as the San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn Nets, and Toronto Raptors. At 52-30, Houston had by far the best record among that group in the recently completed 2024-25 season — which could present the most appeal to Antetokounmpo (if the 30-year-old, as believed, wants to contend for an NBA title) and perhaps give the Rockets the most incentive to get a deal done.
Operating as a 6-foot-11 power forward, Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points (60.1% FG), 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game in the 2024-25 season. A two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP), the “Greek Freak” is a nine-time NBA All-Star and a perennial MVP candidate.
“We think Houston probably has the most they can offer,” added co-host Rachel Nichols, who also has extensive experience covering the NBA.
Of course, it isn’t yet confirmed that the 2024-25 MVP finalist wants to leave. A recent report indicated that a meeting between Antetokounmpo and the Bucks would be held in late May, at which point the player’s desires might become known. But it’s now June, and there has been no confirmation of whether such a meeting has yet taken place. Stay tuned!