Rockets Could Be Team To Watch If Giannis Antetokounmpo Becomes Available

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Houston Rockets have amassed an impressive collection of young players and tradable draft picks. That has the Rockets set up to be in the conversation if any number of star players becomes available on the trade market. One such player that would make sense for Houston is Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

While the Bucks aren't expected to consider trading Antetokounmpo unless he asks for it, it won't keep other teams from dreaming a bit. That includes the Rockets, who could ask Houston legend Hakeem Olajuwon to assist in recruiting Antetokounmpo, should the All-Star forward ask for a trade.

Antetokounmpo has trained with Olajuwon in the past. In addition, the Bucks superstar has professed his admiration for Olajuwon and his journey from Africa to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Rockets are also considered players if Kevin Durant becomes available. Houston has as many as eight to nine tradable draft picks and swaps in the next two years. That includes future picks from the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns, in addition to the Rockets own picks.

Via Marc Stein/The Stein Line

[the_process]

Rockets and Thunder are the two teams to watch for Giannis at the deadline.

Both teams have young players, picks, and are under the apron so can take back more salary in a trade.

The question becomes would Giannis be okay going to Houston or Oklahoma City? Because the Bucks are finito and it would behoove them to make a deal sooner rather than later.

[JMAC3]

The Bucks don't own their picks until 2031, including this year so actually it doesn't really affect them if they want to hold onto Giannis a bit longer. Now if they owned their own pick this year, then sure sell Giannis and then tank for Cooper but that just isn't the case.

They are probably better off to wait as long as possible and see if they can move him for a top 3 pick in this draft and a billion picks instead.