Sports

There's Growing Speculation Celtics Will Trade For Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Milwaukee Bucks have not yet pulled the trigger on a trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Boston Celtics are quickly emerging as a suitor for the two-time MVP.

Antetokounmpo has put together an incredible career in Milwaukee, earning All-Star honors 10 times and winning the NBA Finals during the 2020-21 season. He's still more than capable of playing at an elite level, which was evident this year considering he averaged 27.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

At the end of the day, Antetokounmpo seems ready for a change of scenery. With that being said, Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports is reporting that Boston is "in" on the future Hall of Famer.

"I have heard Boston is shopping people around a lot right now," O'Connor said, via Bleacher Report. "That Boston is making calls, Boston is open to trading anybody besides Jayson Tatum. And that doesn't necessarily mean they land Giannis at the end of the day but I do believe, based off all the conversations I've had, is that the Celtics are in on Giannis. And if they are making a push on him and that this seems to be currently a two-team race with Milwaukee to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo."

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel is also reporting that Boston has interest in Antetokounmpo.

 Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks to pass as New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) defends during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks to pass as New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) defends during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.

What would this trade look like?

If the Celtics are going to pull off a deal for Antetokounmpo, they'll have to part ways with Jaylen Brown. However, he's not a lock to go to Milwaukee in this potential blockbuster deal.

The Bucks and Celtics would need to find a third team that wants to take on Brown's contract.

"The latest conjecture is a Bucks deal of Antetokounmpo to the Celtics would leave Brown then forwarded to another team, with the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans among potential landing spots," Winderman wrote. "Such a three (or more)-team approach by Milwaukee would seek to maximize draft capital, youth and manageable contracts in return."

Obviously, the Celtics aren't the only suitor for Antetokounmpo. He has been linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and New York Knicks over the past month.

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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM.

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