The Houston Rockets’ odds of pairing Giannis Antetokounmpo with Kevin Durant may have improved after the Milwaukee Bucks superstar addressed the trade rumors linking him to the New York Knicks.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Knicks and Bucks engaged in an “exclusive” round of trade discussions in August after Antetokounmpo identified New York as his preferred destination outside Milwaukee. Those talks, however, never advanced beyond the exploratory stage.
“First of all, I haven’t read that story,” Antetokounmpo said following Wednesday’s practice. “When the season starts, I try to get off social media and focus on my craft and the team. But yeah, I’ve said this many times: I want to be in a situation where I can win — and right now, I’m here. I believe in this team. I believe in my teammates. I’m here to lead this team to wherever we can go. It’s definitely going to be hard, but I’m here. So all the other extra stuff does not matter.”
Giannis Keeps Future Open
While Antetokounmpo reaffirmed his commitment to the Bucks for now, he stopped short of making a long-term pledge to Milwaukee — leaving the door open to reevaluate his situation later in the season.
“I think I’ve communicated with my teammates and the people I respect that the moment I step on this court or in this facility, the rest does not matter,” he said. “I’m locked into whatever I have in front of me. Now, if in six, seven months I change my mind, I think that’s human too. You’re allowed to make any decision you want. But I’m locked in — to this team, to these guys, to this coaching staff, and to myself.”
Charania later confirmed that New York’s “exclusive” negotiating window with Milwaukee has closed, potentially reopening the market to other suitors.
“That window is obviously shut,” Charania said on NBA Today. “We’re not in August anymore — we’re in October. If things reopen during the season with this whole Giannis Antetokounmpo element, that window is no longer exclusive to the Knicks. Other NBA teams will enter the picture. I expect it to go beyond just New York.”
Houston Among Teams Best Positioned
If that happens, Houston may be ready to strike. ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks identified the Rockets — alongside the San Antonio Spurs — as one of the few teams capable of assembling a trade package strong enough to tempt the Bucks if Antetokounmpo becomes available.
“The one team that still does is Houston,” Marks said on NBA Today. “They went out and got Kevin Durant, but they still have a lot of draft picks to go out and make a deal. Of course, a player like Amen Thompson would be mentioned if they ever became available.”
Marks also noted that the Bucks are in a temporary holding pattern, with 11 of their 15 players unable to be traded until December 15. “If they struggle, is there a way for them to improve their roster in the next two months? There isn’t,” he added.
Antetokounmpo’s noncommittal tone appeared to validate Marks’ assessment — that Milwaukee may face difficult roster decisions before the trade deadline if they falter early.
Houston’s Assets Give Them Leverage
According to salary cap expert Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron newsletter, Houston’s asset pool gives them one of the strongest trade arsenals in the NBA. The Rockets can trade up to five first-round picks, including two unprotected selections from the Phoenix Suns in 2027 and 2029 — widely regarded as among the league’s most valuable given the Suns’ uncertain future.
A potential Durant–Antetokounmpo pairing would instantly elevate Houston into the Western Conference elite, placing them alongside the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. But it would also force the Rockets to make difficult choices about their young cornerstones.
The key question: would general manager Rafael Stone be willing to part with rising stars Amen Thompson or Alperen Sengun in a blockbuster deal for Giannis?
Waiting for Milwaukee’s Move
For now, Antetokounmpo insists he’s focused on Milwaukee’s success. But his comments — balanced between loyalty and caution — have quietly reignited speculation around the league.
If the Bucks stumble early and their star begins to waver, the Rockets could be among the first to make the call — armed with draft capital, financial flexibility, and the lure of a Durant–Giannis superteam that could reshape the Western Conference landscape overnight.
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