Major trade scenarios are brewing for two NBA superstars, and it appears their preferred destinations are beginning to crystallize.
In the ongoing saga surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks aim to make a decision within the next month, leading up to the draft. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the «Greek Freak» has identified two teams he’d prefer to be traded to. Among these are the Boston Celtics, where Jaylen Brown is currently a highly sought-after player.
Stein reported on Monday regarding the situation with Giannis: «Since the Draft Combine in Chicago, I’ve heard similar things from multiple teams: Miami and Boston are increasingly seen as the potential trade destinations that currently (and I emphasize: currently) are most appealing to Milwaukee’s Antetokounmpo.»
The Heat have long been considered one of the favorites to acquire the two-time MVP. For a considerable period, they shared this distinction with the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Golden State Warriors. Notably, the Dubs reportedly made significant efforts to acquire Giannis before the previous trade deadline.
However, recently, rumors emerged for the first time suggesting that the Celtics could also enter the bidding. Following their surprising first-round playoff exit against the Philadelphia 76ers, the narrative has grown that there are significant tensions between the franchise and superstar Brown.
Insider Brian Windhorst (ESPN) directly introduced Antetokounmpo and the Bucks as a potential replacement and trade partner: «Of course, this makes sense for Milwaukee. Of course, the Bucks are watching the situation very closely and would be ready to call Boston.»
Hawks, Rockets, and Blazers Show ‘Legitimate Trade Interest’ in Brown
While Giannis also appears open to such a deal, it’s currently uncertain whether the Bucks’ interest in Brown is substantial. For the Bucks to initiate a rebuild without both Antetokounmpo and Brown, they would need to find a third team to absorb the 2024 Finals MVP in a potential Antetokounmpo-Brown trade.
According to Stein, this should not be a fundamental problem. The insider states that three teams have shown «legitimate trade interest» in Brown: the Atlanta Hawks, the Houston Rockets, and the Portland Trail Blazers.
Brown, who is coming off the best regular season of his career, recently stated publicly: «If it were up to me, I’d play in Boston for the next ten years.» He is currently under contract with the Celtics for three more years and $183 million. In the summer, he could sign an extension that would pay him around $70 million per year.
Giannis, on the other hand, will enter the final year of his contract ( $63 million) next season. He could only sign an extension in October of this year. If an agreement isn’t reached by then, he would become a free agent in the summer of 2027. To avoid further back-and-forth, the Bucks want to make a decision about his long-term future before the draft (June 23rd and 24th).
NBA: Statistics for Antetokounmpo and Brown in the 2025/2026 Season
| Name | GP | MIN | PTS | AST | REB | STL | BLK | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 36 | 28.9 | 27.6 | 5.4 | 9.8 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 3.2 |
| Jaylen Brown | 71 | 34.4 | 28.7 | 5.1 | 6.9 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 3.6 |