NBA Rumors: The Rockets' Plan is to Bring Together Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant

The Houston Rockets could once again be at the center of one of the big moves in the NBA market. After acquiring Kevin Durant last summer in a trade with the Phoenix Suns, the Texan franchise is now gearing up to try to repeat the feat with another big name: Giannis Antetokounmpo, currently with the Milwaukee Bucks.

According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, the Rockets plan to make a significant push for the Greek player next summer. The idea would be to use the franchise's extensive assets package to try to close another major trade. Houston made a big bet in the last market, sending two key pieces like Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to get Durant. An operation that, as has been recently revealed, some players on the team do not view favorably in hindsight.

Although Durant maintains his usual level this season, the collective results have not been the same. Last season, the Rockets finished as the second in the West with a record of 52 wins and 30 losses (63.4% win rate). This season, after 71 games played, the team has a record of 43-28, which represents a winning percentage of 60.6%, lower than the previous year.

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The Potential Impact of Giannis

The potential arrival of Antetokounmpo would represent a clear quality leap, although it would all depend on the price to pay. The trade for Durant already left the Rockets without several important rotation players. This situation was compounded by the absence of Fred VanVleet, who got injured before the start of the season shortly after the operation for Durant was completed, creating another void in the squad.

Despite having a significant volume of assets, it remains to be seen if Houston can present an offer that satisfies Milwaukee without compromising the team's competitiveness around a hypothetical duo formed by Durant and Antetokounmpo. The context within the Bucks also plays a role in this scenario.

The relationship between the player and the franchise has deteriorated, especially due to disagreements over whether he should play again this season, even though the team is out of the playoff race. This climate of uncertainty opens the door to movements in the summer, with Houston ready to try to take advantage of the situation and once again make one of the big splashes in the NBA market.