Bucks Expected to Trade Giannis Within 1 Week as Celtics Lead 3-Team Pursuit
Updated
Updated · NBC Sports Boston · Jun 16
Bucks Expected to Trade Giannis Within 1 Week as Celtics Lead 3-Team Pursuit
3 articles · Updated · NBC Sports Boston · Jun 16
Summary
Milwaukee is widely expected to move Giannis Antetokounmpo before the June 23 NBA Draft, with Boston emerging as the leading destination if the deal can be completed.
Boston would likely have to send out 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, but reports indicate the Bucks prefer draft picks and multiple young pieces, making a three-team structure the likeliest path.
Atlanta, Portland and the Clippers have been floated as possible landing spots for Brown, while Miami also remains in the mix for Antetokounmpo.
Salary and roster-building constraints loom over any blockbuster: Brown is due $57 million next season, Antetokounmpo $58 million, and he could sign a 4-year, $275 million extension six months after a trade.
Even if Boston lands the 2-time MVP, more moves may follow, as the new CBA has made it harder for teams built around multiple $60 million stars to sustain title contention.
Is trading a Finals MVP for an aging Giannis a championship move or a franchise-altering mistake for Boston?
Can any trade return fix the 'toxic' culture and bleak future the Bucks face without their superstar?
NBA on Edge: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Imminent Trade and the Miami-Boston Bidding War Before the 2026 Draft
Overview
As the NBA Draft approaches, trade discussions around Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo have reached a fever pitch. League insiders agree that a deal is highly probable before the draft, with teams offering significant assets to acquire him. The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics are seen as the main contenders, both aggressively pursuing Antetokounmpo. A key factor in these talks is Giannis’s willingness to commit long-term to his new team, which could determine the final destination. The outcome of this blockbuster trade is set to reshape the NBA landscape and will be closely watched as the draft deadline nears.