Where do Celtics’ trade talks for Giannis Antetokounmpo stand, and will a deal get done before the NBA Draft?
Last month, after the Celtics coughed up a 3-1 series lead and were flattened by the rival 76ers in the opening round of the playoffs, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens sat in front of cameras at the Auerbach Center and was asked what upgrades he might pursue during another challenging offseason.
“I don’t think we’re, like, way far away,” he said. “But we’ve lived it here. Again, this is where the honest assessment part has got to come in, right? We’ve been to six Eastern Conference finals, a couple Finals in the last few years. We’ve won one. And when you get beat in the first round, you’re not there. So, I think that the moves to get there, obviously you have to consider the other teams that are at those levels.”
Now, the Celtics could be preparing to make the biggest splash of this summer. According to league sources and multiple reports, the Celtics have engaged in trade discussions with the Bucks centered on superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is expected to be dealt prior to Tuesday night’s NBA Draft. ESPN reported on Monday that the Celtics and Heat are considered the two finalists.
Antetokounmpo, the 31-year-old two-time MVP, averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over 36 games this past season. But friction between Antetokounmpo and the Bucks swelled as Milwaukee trudged through a 32-50 campaign. The Bucks reportedly considered trading Antetokounmpo at February’s deadline but did not complete a deal.
New Bucks owner Jimmy Haslam said last month that he hoped to finalize a trade for Antetokounmpo prior to the draft. Antetokounmpo is eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension this fall, and a league source said that Antetokounmpo’s camp has indicated to the Celtics that he would be willing to sign that extension with Boston.
Any Celtics deal would have to be centered on All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, who just finished the best season of his career and finished sixth in MVP voting. The Celtics, who own the 27th pick in this draft, could also offer up to three future first-round picks.
Brown, 29, has three years remaining on his five-year, $305 million contract extension that set the record for the richest deal in league history when he signed it three years ago. He also is eligible for a two-year, $142 million extension this summer.
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Brown appears at least outwardly unbothered by the possibility of being traded. Last week he traveled through China, including a shirtless jog at the Great Wall. And on Sunday night he did a livestream of his workout in Monaco with Olympic track champion Noah Lyles.
After the playoff loss to the 76ers, Brown created a stir when he said this was his favorite NBA season, a seemingly odd pronouncement following such a frustrating setback against a rival.
But Brown relished the opportunity to be the Celtics’ No. 1 option while Jayson Tatum rehabbed from the Achilles injury he suffered in May 2025. Tatum is back now, of course, so perhaps Brown is intrigued by the possibility of getting to be the lead dog elsewhere. Sources have said that regardless, there does not appear to be friction between Brown and the Celtics regarding these trade talks.
It’s unclear if Brown would land with the Bucks or potentially be rerouted as Milwaukee starts a rebuild. ESPN reported Monday that any trade for Antetokounmpo is expected to be a two-team deal, however.
The Heat have been viewed as the leaders in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes for months and can offer the best collection of draft picks and young players. They own the 13th selection in this highly touted draft, and All-Star Tyler Herro, Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Jaime Jaquez, and rising big man Kel’el Ware are all 26 or younger. Still, Brown is a superior talent who has shown he could be a franchise cornerstone.
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