One day ago, Thanasis Antetokounmpo announced, “I am back,” signaling he is ready to get back to the basketball court. He missed the entire 2024-25 season with a torn Achilles, and now it seems like the Houston Rockets are the destination for the Antetokounmpo brothers.
The Houston Rockets are Betting Favorites to Get Antetokounmpo
According to the betting website Bovada, the Houston Rockets are the favorites to sign the older brother of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Bovada gives them a +400 chance, followed by the San Antonio Spurs at +600, the Brooklyn Nets at +800, the Golden State Warriors at +900, and the Cleveland Cavaliers at +1200.
The interesting part is that all five of those teams are mentioned as destinations for Giannis as well. And it looks like the team that is favored to trade for Giannis will also sign Thanasis. He last played in the NBA during the 2023-24 season but underwent surgery for a torn Achilles last May. During his last active season, the 32-year-old Antetokounmpo averaged less than a point for the Bucks in almost five minutes per game. But his biggest contribution is not on the court, it is off the court. The love between the Antetokounmpo brothers is real, and teams are trying to pry away Giannis.
What Can the Rockets Offer?
The Rockets have $190 million right now committed in salary for the 2025-26 season. That means they will be over the luxury tax, projected at $187 million. They can offer the mid-level exception or a minimum salary. NBA veterans with 10+ years of experience can sign for a minimum of $3 million starting from next season. However, Thanasis doesn’t have as many years of experience in the NBA, and he has never earned more than $2 million per season.
Rockets Making a Play For Giannis
The Rockets and the Spurs have long been rumored as the two most likely destinations for Giannis. They are the only two teams in the league that can offer the Milwaukee Bucks young players to build around and draft capital from other teams. In a bidding war, no team can outbid the Rockets and Spurs. Maybe only the Dallas Mavericks if they include the No.1 pick.
A potential Rockets trade can include Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, the No.10 pick in the 2025 draft, first-round picks from the Nets and Phoenix Suns in 2027, and more. Even the trade, they can still have assets to build around, and quality players to contend for a championship.
The question is whether the Rockets will make a play for Giannis or if they have something else in mind.
Here is a fun fact: Thanasis has played for only two teams during his NBA career. He appeared in two games for the New York Knicks during the 2015-16 season. Then, after playing overseas, his whole life has been tied to the Milwaukee Bucks, same as Giannis.
So, if any team hopes to trade for Giannis, getting Thanasis might feel like a mandatory option. With the Rockets being the betting favorites to land the older Antetokounmpo, one might say they are also hoping for a chance to trade for Giannis as well.
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