Could Rockets part with Alperen Sengun if Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes available?

Could Rockets part with Alperen Sengun if Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes available?

Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t officially requested to be traded, but the Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar has laid the breadcrumbs for a potential departure this offseason.

If he does, he will draw a flurry of interest around the league and the market will probably be frozen until a resolution is found. Last week, I listed five potential trade destinations, but all 29 teams should at least inquire to Jon Horst and the Bucks about acquiring the two-time MVP.

One team that could gauge interest in the Houston Rockets, looking to make a splash after finishing as the No. 2 seed in the West before being eliminated in seven games by the Golden State Warriors in the first round.

One question that every team has to ask is how much they would be willing to give up to acquire Antetokounmpo should he hit the trade market. His market will be steep, and according to NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin, the Rockets would be willing to part with one of the best young bigs in the NBA.

“Houston has optionality, this trade can be structured in many different ways,” Helin wrote. “Houston would be open to trading Alperen Sengun, league sources told NBC Sports, but the Bucks may be higher on a Jalen Green-based trade (depending on how they rate Green). Jabari Smith Jr. is likely part of any deal, and the Rockets have a lot of future first-round picks — their own and others, such as Brooklyn and Phoenix picks — that could be part of the trade.

“It likely takes a third team to make the math work, but it’s very doable.”

Sengun signed a five-year, $185 million extension last offseason. He is on the books for $33.9 million at the start of 2025-26 with $35.6M, $37.3M, $39.0M and $39.0M (player option) in each of the next four seasons, respectively, according to Spotrac. He will take up less than 22 percent of the cap for those five seasons.

Sengun, who will turn 23-years-old in July, is a dynamic playmaking big who averaged 19.1 points and 10.3 rebounds on 54.5 percent true shooting last year. His field goal percentage has dipped in each of the Rockets’ last three seasons; he’s been a byproduct of poor spacing as one of the worst half-court offenses in the NBA.

There would obviously need to be more included in the trade. They have three Suns first-round picks (2025, 2027, 2029) plus each of their own first-round picks through 2031 to trade, so they have plenty of draft capital to heave in Milwaukee’s direction–depending on how desperate they are to complete any move.

Are The Celtics A Sleeper Landing Spot For Giannis Antetokounmpo?

There is no question that Antetokounmpo, 30, is still a top-3 player in the sport when he’s fully healthy. He averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists on 62.5 percent true shooting in 2025-25. Milwaukee is devoid of assets outside of its superstar forward. So it should be of the utmost priority to not only do right by his wishes, but also acquire as many assets as possible to set itself up for the future.

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