Celtics Eyeing a Trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo
There’s been a surge of speculation that the Boston Celtics are looking to trade Jaylen Brown to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Giannis Antetokounmpo. This buzz intensified after a revelation on Thursday.
As reported by Ira Winderman from the South Florida Sun Sentinel, NBA insiders have noted that the Celtics are taking a more active role in discussions.
However, Winderman also suggests that any potential deal involving Brown and Antetokounmpo isn’t straightforward. It seems the Celtics may need to rope in a third team for this trade to happen.
Winderman pointed out that the Bucks are focused on acquiring young players, draft picks, and manageable contracts as they look to navigate Antetokounmpo’s potential exit.
Brown, entering his 30s, still has three years remaining on his substantial five-year, $285.4 million contract that he signed after helping the Celtics clinch their first NBA championship alongside Jayson Tatum.
It’s interesting to note, though, that given Brown’s age and hefty contract, the Bucks might not be inclined to dismantle the Celtics’ core significantly. However, the Hawks and Pelicans might show interest in acquiring Brown.
Last season, Tatum endured a challenging period, missing much of the season recovering from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in the prior playoffs.
Meanwhile, Brown found himself in MVP conversations, posting impressive averages of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. The Celtics ended the regular season strong, boasting a 56-26 record, but fell short against the Philadelphia 76ers after leading the playoff series 3-1, which has left the team contemplating a fresh direction.
On a related note, the Hawks surprised many by finishing sixth in the East with a 46-36 record, yet they also exited early from the playoffs, suffering a significant loss to the Knicks. In contrast, the Pelicans struggled mightily, securing only 26 wins and missing the playoffs entirely. They might view adding Brown as a way to strengthen their roster alongside stars like Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III, the latter of whom led the league in scoring last season.
