The 13-month odyssey of Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to be down to its closing hours.
The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat have surfaced as finalists for Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is expected to be traded before Tuesday’s NBA Draft, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be traded before the start of the NBA draft Tuesday, with the Celtics and Heat emerging as finalists to land the Bucks superstar, sources told @ShamsCharania. https://t.co/Lks4PIwjFK
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 22, 2026
“The Bucks are engaged in serious talks with two finalists, the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics,” Charania said on Monday on ESPN’s Get Up. “These have been tough negotiations. The Bucks had discussions at the deadline. They’ve been in business since the draft combine in May. Right now they are focused on these two teams. Giannis, as I understand it now, he is trade-ready.”
Shams on potential Giannis trade:
“Sources tell me a trade and a resolution is coming for the Milwaukee Bucks with Giannis Antetokounmpo before the NBA Draft.”
Heat, Celtics are finalists and trade will be a 2-team deal, per @ShamsCharania.pic.twitter.com/U7Ori9A4NF
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) June 22, 2026
Two Offers, Two Different Approaches
The two offerings on the table are polar opposites. The Celtics are offering Jaylen Brown, a five-time All-Star, in a proposed trade that would send away two of the NBA’s best players, and the Heat have countered with players on cost-controlled contracts and hefty draft picks, including the No. 13 choice in Tuesday’s draft.
Miami’s projected package also includes guard Tyler Herro, forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. and center Kel’el Ware. Brown would remain in Milwaukee if he can work out a deal with Boston. There are no three-team constructions being considered as of Monday — it would be a pure transaction between the Bucks and whichever team wins the sweepstakes.
Miami Looking for Ways to Improve Bid
The Heat, who were once the clear favorite, are in scramble mode. “We’ve gone out in recent days to try to recruit third and fourth teams to try to improve their offer, knowing they can’t match what Boston is bringing,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said. “They don’t have a premium player like a Jaylen Brown. The best thing they have to deal is the 13th pick in tomorrow’s draft. “It’s a good piece, but it’s not Jaylen Brown,” Windhorst said.
Why Boston’s Package Stands Out
Brown is coming off the best season of his NBA career with serious MVP talk, averaging 28.7 points per game and leading the Celtics to the No. 2 seed in the East primarily without injured Jayson Tatum. To trade him would be a difficult but calculated gamble for Boston.
How the Situation Reached This Point
The Bucks trade story goes back to May 2025 when Antetokounmpo first opened up about seeking his best fit outside of Milwaukee. It became worse last summer when he told all sides he wanted to play for the Knicks — but was stopped by the Bucks.
What ensued was a season of dysfunction: Antetokounmpo wanted out, a strained relationship led to a league inquiry when the Bucks sat him down with a knee ailment late in the season, and Milwaukee finished 32-50, ending nine straight playoff runs.
Antetokounmpo played in only 36 games, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists. The Greek Freak wants to go to either Boston or Miami but time is running out. This is likely to be settled before Tuesday night’s NBA Draft
One of the greatest moves of the summer – maybe the decade – could be decided in the next few hours.
