Bucks deal star center Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat, not the Celtics, in NBA blockbuster
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.
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“I don’t think we’re, like, way far away, but we’ve lived it here,” he said. “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.”
The Celtics spent much of the past week pushing toward what would have been the biggest splash of the summer, as they pursued a trade for Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to league sources.
But now, Boston will push forward in the offseason focused on Plan B.
A league source confirmed early Tuesday morning that, despite Boston’s pursuit, the Bucks have opted to trade the two-time MVP to the Heat. Miami had long been considered the be the favorites to land Antetokounmpo, but the Celtics had appeared to gain significant momentum in recent days.
According to ESPN, the Heat agreed to send Tyler Herro, Kel’El Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, one first-round pick swap, and one second-round pick to Milwaukee in exchange for Antetokounmpo and forward Bobby Portis.
Antetokounmpo 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 had indicated to the Celtics that he would have been willing to sign that extension with Boston if he was traded there.
The Celtics’ offer was centered on All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, who just finished the best season of his career and finished sixth in MVP voting. According to ESPN, the Celtics also offered Miami two first-round picks.
Brown appeared 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.
Read more Bucks deal star center Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat, not the Celtics, in NBA blockbuster
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