Celtics emerge as leading contender in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks
Boston appears to have a viable proposal to acquire two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, centering the deal around All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown, as the NBA trade deadline approaches.
League sources said the Boston Celtics have moved from tentative interest to a concrete proposal to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to NBA insiders. The Celtics' offer is reported to revolve around a trade that would send All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown to Milwaukee, with the Bucks considering a direct swap without a third-team intermediary.
"I was really skeptical that the Boston Celtics were going to go all-in on this, but from what I understand, they have," ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst said on Monday.
Milwaukee is also weighing offers from the Miami Heat, which are said to include Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jamie Jaquez Jr. and draft picks. However, the Heat's proposal has not satisfied the Bucks, and the trade deadline looms before the NBA Draft on Tuesday.
The Celtics' package is expected to include Brown, a young player such as Hugo González, and draft selections, possibly involving Boston's No. 27 pick in the upcoming draft. Reports suggest that Payton Pritchard is unlikely to be part of the deal, as the team values his fit alongside a potential Antetokounmpo acquisition.
If the trade proceeds, Antetokounmpo would sign an extension with Boston, a condition he has reportedly set for any move. The player has one guaranteed year remaining on his contract and could become a free agent if a trade does not materialize.
Boston President Brad Stevens has emphasized the need for stronger rim protection, a role Antetokounmpo fills as a dominant interior scorer and defender. The potential pairing of Antetokounmpo with Jayson Tatum would give the Celtics a formidable frontcourt, while Brown would likely be moved in a subsequent transaction to maximize return for Milwaukee.
