NBA Trade Rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo Lands Out West in Proposed 3-Team Blockbuster

We brought you reports this week that a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this season is not out of the realm of possibility if the Milwaukee Bucks continue to look as hapless as they have so far this season, tied for last in the Eastern Conference at 1-4.

With that in mind, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report brings us a three-team blockbuster proposal that would move the Greek Freak to the Houston Rockets.

It's a complicated and massive deal, so stick with us:

Houston Rockets recieve:

Giannis Antetokounmpo (from Bucks)
A.J. Green (from Bucks)
Chris Livingston (from Bucks)
Delon Wright (from Bucks)

Bucks receive:

Reed Sheppard (from Rockets)
Jabari Smith Jr. (from Rockets)
Amen Thompson (from Rockets)
Wendell Moore Jr. (from Pistons)
2027 first-rounder (higher of the Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns or Rockets, from Rockets)
2028 first-round swap (from Rockets)
2029 first-rounder (highest of the Dallas Mavericks, Suns or Rockets, from Rockets)
2031 first-rounder (from Rockets)
$29.4 million trade exception (Giannis Antetokounmpo)
$2.1 million trade exception (AJ Green)

Detroit Pistons get:

Jeff Green (from Rockets)
Jock Landale (from Rockets)
MarJon Beauchamp (from Bucks)
$7.24 million (from Rockets)
2026 protected second-rounder (from Rockets)
2026 second-rounder (second highest of the Philadelphia 76ers, Mavericks or Oklahoma City Thunder, from Rockets)
2026 second-rounder (lower of the LA Clippers and whichever is the highest from the Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat, from Rockets)

Whew. That's a lot of names and picks changing hands.

It's pretty obvious why the Rockets would want to add Giannis, even though they'd have to give up a slew of talent, including Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson and this year's No. 3 pick Reed Sheppard. But there's only one Greek Freak, and he would immediately make the Rockets a strong championship contender.

As for the Bucks, they pull in a huge haul to restructure their team in the absence of Giannis, including the aforementioned threesome from Houston, and three first-round picks. As Pincus notes, "the product on the floor (in Milwaukee) has diminished, and the front office hasn't been able to find young, impact players to rejuvenate the lineup. Losing Antetokounmpo sounds like accepting a rebuild, but the team is currently middling in the East, and the return from the Rockets adds valuable depth to build around".

Detroit, for its part, gets to take a look at a former first round pick in MarJon Beauchamp, and get three second-rounders.

This proposed trade would be game-changing for the Rockets and the Bucks, and alter the landscape of the NBA in both conferences.