It seems clear that the Boston Celtics are being used as leverage by the Milwaukee Bucks. Between now and the NBA Draft, which starts on Jun. 23, Giannis Antetokounmpo will have a new home. It's time for him and the franchise he brought a championship to go their separate ways.
Milwaukee has some shackles that will impact the return it's about to get for a two-time MVP. Antetokounmpo wants to stay in the Eastern Conference. He can opt out of his contract next summer. That gives him leverage as he tries to steer his way to a preferred destination. Secondly, he turns 32 in December. Whoever acquires him is absorbing the durability concerns and injury risks that come with a player who has spent 12 years operating as a battering ram, plowing his way to the rim while logging over 29,000 career minutes.
On top of that, the 10-time All-Star is eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million extension on Oct. 1. The Miami Heat want to get off the treadmill of mediocrity and are aggressively working to reel in a big fish after recent failures on that front. Other franchises believe the price isn't worth paying. That's either because Antetokounmpo is a flight risk, or they don't want to be on the hook for what it will cost to keep him around as the mileage adds up and the injury risk rises.
Where does that leave the Bucks? Using the Celtics as a pawn in a chess game that will lay the foundation for their future.
It's a situation that has reached the peak of speculation season. Soon, a summer blockbuster will grant everyone clarity. For that to happen, here's what's required from all parties involved.
What the Celtics must do in response to being used as leverage
As Matt Moore from Action Network said on a recent episode of Locked On NBA, for the Heat to bring Antetokounmpo to South Beach, they may need him to "put his thumb on the scale."
The Miami Heat are hoping Giannis puts his thumb on the scale and forces his way to Miami, per @HPbasketball
— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) June 13, 2026
“One of the things that’s been communicated to me, is the Heat are really wishing Giannis would go put his thumb on the scale. From every indication is Giannis just… pic.twitter.com/XKph6cG3lb
However, after trading for him, their roster isn't good enough to compel him to do so. They could still pull this off, but their offer is very beatable.
Since it doesn't appear like the Magic are getting involved in the bidding, if Boston wants to pair Jayson Tatum with Antetokounmpo, then that's probably how this matter ends.
On the other hand, if the gamble on the nine-time All-NBA selection's health makes this a dice roll that Brad Stevens will let another franchise go ahead with, then what needs to happen is evident. The Celtics cannot let Jaylen Brown's latest trip to the rumor mill sour their relationship. Even if they want their name out there to drive up the price for someone else to acquire Antetokounmpo, then, privately, they should have already conveyed their commitment to the former Finals MVP.
And as Milwaukee works on three and four-team potential constructs, hoping for more than Miami is offering, how it pivots if Boston is not involved is concerning. It might be the only path for the Bucks to recoup the first-round picks they sent to the Portland Trail Blazers in the deal for Damian Lillard.
Maybe the Minnesota Timberwolves, or a mystery team, join the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. However, at the moment, the clock on Milwaukee's self-imposed deadline is ticking. It's an organization that appears desperate to get more than what's on the table.
The Celtics could be the driving force in that, bringing Antetokounmpo to Boston. Being used as leverage could be beneficial if whoever gets him has to pay more. But the Celtics allowing themselves to be a pawn while damaging their relationship with Brown would be inexplicable. As the word of their interest in winning this sweepstakes amplifies, trust that one of two statements accurately describes their position.
Either Boston is the favorite to land Antetokounmpo. That, or the Celtics are assuring Brown that they aren't breaking up their franchise cornerstones. The five-time All-Star just led them to 56 wins and had his name in the MVP conversation. He led his team during a campaign they entered after a roster reset. And, as much confidence as there was that Jayson Tatum would return to superstar form, that was an unknown.
Internally, this was a group that believed in itself. But this season tested them unlike any other in recent memory. The ending was ugly. But Brown guided them to a place of stability. There's work to do to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy again. However, if that doesn't involve acquiring Antetokounmpo, then the Celtics' commitment to Brown can't be something he's in the dark about.
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