ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Monday that Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has become “open-minded” about the possibility of leaving Milwaukee for the first time in his career. Subsequent reports indicated that San Antonio and Houston were two teams to monitor if Antetokounmpo requests a trade — he’s under contract through at least 2026/27, with a player option for ’27/28.
League sources tell Kurt Helin of NBC Sports that the Rockets are open to including All-Star center Alperen Sengun as part of a potential trade for Antetokounmpo, though it’s unclear if the Bucks would instead prefer a package that includes Jalen Green. According to Helin, forward Jabari Smith would likely be part of any offer for the two-time MVP, and Houston has a surplus of future first-round picks that could be dangled as well.
Assuming this report is accurate, Houston would likely only be willing to part with Sengun for a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber — just about everyone in the league should be viewed as a possible trade candidate for someone like that. And while the Rockets reportedly view Amen Thompson as untouchable in trade talks, the same has not been said of Sengun.
Sengun’s possible inclusion in an offer for Antetokounmpo makes some sense from a fit perspective too, since a core of Thompson, Antetokounmpo and Sengun would not be ideal for offensive spacing — none of them are accurate three-point shooters right now.
A 6’11” big man from Turkey, Sengun averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 49.6% from the floor and 69.2% from the line in 76 regular season appearances for the Rockets this season (31.5 minutes per game). In his first playoff series, a first-round loss to Golden State, the 22-year-old averaged 20.9 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 5.3 APG and 1.9 SPG, converting 45.0% of his field goal attempts and 62.5% of his free throws in seven games (36.6 MPG).
Sengun signed a five-year, $185MM rookie scale extension with Houston last October. That deal, which includes a player option in ’29/30, will kick in starting next season.