Celtics lose out on Giannis sweepstakes as Bucks deal him to Warmth
Boston Celtics
The Celtics reportedly provided up Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks as a part of their supply to the Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the transfer. However to not Boston.
Regardless of being linked in commerce rumors with the Bucks famous person for weeks, the Celtics got here up simply brief of their pursuit of Antetokounmpo, with Milwaukee reportedly buying and selling the two-time MVP to the Miami Warmth in a blockbuster deal.
In keeping with ESPN insider Shams Charania, the Bucks traded Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami in alternate for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, 3 first-round picks (together with No. 13), one decide swap and 1 second-round choice.
Charania added that the Celtics made a compelling supply to Milwaukee with a view to attempt to pair him up with Jayson Tatum — however Milwaukee finally opted for Miami’s haul of gamers and picks.
“The Celtics aggressively pursued Giannis, providing Milwaukee a package deal that includes 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks, sources inform ESPN,” Charania tweeted late Monday evening. “The Bucks critically negotiated with two finalists in current weeks: Miami and Boston, which have been each on Antetokounmpo’s record of most well-liked locations.”
After Boston made a surprising first-round exit by the hands of the Sixers in April, Celtics president of basketball of operations Brad Stevens harassed that the crew needed so as to add extra “influence on the rim” transferring ahead.
A famous person expertise like Antetokounmpo would have match that invoice for Boston because the Celtics tried to beat different contenders throughout the NBA panorama just like the Knicks, Spurs, and Thunder in 2026-27.
Sure, there are issues over the 31-year-old ahead’s age and up to date harm woes. However Antetokounmpo’s resume speaks for itself.
Over his 13 seasons in Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a championship in 2021, received two MVP awards, secured NBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors in 2020, and in addition earned 10 All-Star nods.
Antetokounmpo turned simply the third NBA participant in league historical past — after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James — to win two MVPs earlier than turning 26 years previous, and was additionally the third participant in league historical past to win MVP and Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors in the identical 12 months — becoming a member of Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan.
Even with some legitimate reservations over how a lot Antetokounmpo has left within the tank as a real, top-five expertise within the NBA, his athleticism and skill to influence the sport down each ends of the courtroom may have been a much-needed treatment for Stevens and the Celtics.
He is probably not a longtime 3-point shooter, however Antetokounmpo is a devastating finisher within the paint. Regardless of solely showing in 36 video games this previous season, he completed sixth within the league in complete dunks with 142. He led the league in that class over the earlier two years from 2023-25.
Add in his defensive capabilities as a 6-foot-11 ahead with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, and Antetokounmpo checks off loads of packing containers so far as what Stevens coveted this season.
Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 factors, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per sport through the 2025-26 season with the Bucks.
Now, Stevens and the Celtics are in an enchanting spot this offseason — particularly in terms of how finest to maneuver ahead with each Brown and a Celtics crew nonetheless in want of a number of upgrades.
Talking on his Twitch stream on Sunday, Brown mentioned he was effectively conscious of all of the discourse surrounding himself and the Bucks.
”Considerably grateful, as a result of I get to see some negativity that I didn’t need. However that simply offers extra gas to the fireplace,” Brown mentioned on his Twitch stream whereas coaching with Olympic sprinter Noah Lyles. “I see some feedback, or takes, that I didn’t even care to see, however it simply offers me extra gas to the fireplace.
“To all of the individuals who have doubted me, that need me to do that or need me gone, you’re turning me right into a monster.”
However, following Charania’s report that Brown was certainly within the supply to the Bucks for Giannis, it stays to be seen what the following steps are for each Boston and one in every of their star gamers.
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