Ever since the Celtics’ unexpected playoff exit. Antetokounmpo’s name has been floated and tossed around within the Boston sports media.
Rightfully so, it’s not every day that a multiple MVP, DPOY, and Finals MVP is on the trade block.
Giannis to the Celtics rumors really started heating up after NBA Insider Shams Charania reported on the Celtics inquiring about the 2x MVP at the 2026 NBA trade deadline. “The Celtics did check, and they did make a call. They did have a level of interest, and I think that is going to continue into this off-season, but they’ve never gotten into the particulars — because it takes two to tango.”
It is very possible that the Celtics called the Bucks at the deadline in regards to a potential Giannis trade. It’s safe to say that the Bucks would want Brown to be included in any trade involving the Celtics acquiring Giannis. The Celtics reluctancy to include Brown in a deal would explain why the Bucks might’ve not taken the Celtics offer seriously enough to further negotiate and why talks never escalated at the deadline.
With that being said, in his end of season press conference Celtics President of Operations Brad Stevens highlighted the Celtics lack of rim pressure and pointed out the Celtics blown leads over the last 3 playoff runs.
A lot of the leads that the Celtics have blown came from 3-point scoring droughts. A lot of people may think that the solution is to acquire players that are better at shooting 3’s. (Via draft/trade)
Well, 2 main factors that have played a significant role in these 3-point shooting slumps are predictability and natural shooting slumps. So unless you’re the 2017 Warriors, the real answer may lie in diversifying while still complementing the existing offense.
If the Celtics were to add Giannis, they would be adding a freak of nature in finishing at the rim and constant rim pressure. This would give the Celtics a consistent scoring option that they could rely on during the playoffs, while still complementing the existing offense with its ability to generate better 3-point looks.
This also doesn’t even include the elite rebounding and defense that Giannis would bring to a modern, switchable NBA defense.
We all know he’s a 2 time MVP but here’s a reminder that when healthy, Giannis has averaged 33 13 6 on 55% shooting in the playoffs since the Bucks traded for Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday in 2020.
There’s no question that Giannis comes with injury risks, but being able to pair Jayson Tatum with Giannis Antetokounmpo would be too good and rare of an opportunity for the Celtics to pass up on. It would also take a lot more than trading Brown for the Celtics to acquire Giannis if he didn’t carry those injury risks.
The trade would probably require a third team interested in Brown like Atlanta, Portland, or Houston to help Giannis land in Boston, with salary filler, young assets, and future picks heading back to Milwaukee. The Celtics offer could consist of a package involving Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser/Jordan Walsh, #27 pick, and a future 1st rounder.