The trade saga is over, and now Kevin Durant will soon start his new chapter with the Houston Rockets.
The move was never in doubt. Everyone expected Durant to be traded this summer, though the final trade return was lower than many anticipated.
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Houston picked up the former MVP by sending Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 2025 No. 10 overall pick and five second-rounders to Phoenix.
But even after swinging the Durant deal, Houston still has a strong asset base. The NBA Analysis Network has even floated a hypothetical trade for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Durant trade gives Rockets flexibility
It’s hard not to be impressed with how Houston’s roster looks after landing Durant, even before exploring further blockbuster moves.
A move for Antetokounmpo would take the Rockets to a completely different level. After the Bucks’ playoff exit, the Greek Freak has remained a regular fixture in trade rumors, even though he’s voiced a desire to stay in Milwaukee.
With both VanVleet and Jabari Smith Jr. holding team options for next season, the Rockets are firmly in control of which direction they want to take.
Pairing Giannis, already set to earn $54.1 million, with Durant would instantly make Houston one of the league’s most imposing outfits.
Durant and Giannis would instantly form one of the league’s scariest one-two punches. Their offensive firepower, combined with Antetokounmpo’s defensive presence, would make Houston a serious title threat. And with the team already loaded with young talent, this duo could be the pivotal step that pushes the Rockets over the finish line.
Adding Giannis to Durant would give Houston a serious scoring punch. Defensively, the Rockets would take a big step forward.
Combine that with young talent such as Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, and the Rockets — who finished second in the West last season — could see the Durant-Giannis era produce an immediate leap.
How the Bucks look after Antetokounmpo trade
Antetokounmpo has put together a historic tenure in Milwaukee, one that includes three MVPs and a title ring that ended a 50-year drought for the franchise.
But the situation around him has steadily declined since 2021. The supporting cast simply hasn’t matched the level Milwaukee needs to return to the summit, even as Giannis has continued to produce individual brilliance.
Khris Middleton has already been moved. Damian Lillard is coming back from an Achilles tear. The roster is showing clear signs that another deep playoff run is out of reach.
The deal would bring back Smith Jr. and draft picks, giving Milwaukee a foundation to start building from again. The team could either keep VanVleet or flip him later for more assets.
Trading Giannis, if it happens, would officially close Milwaukee’s greatest era. But it could also be the move the franchise needs to reset around a younger core.
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