The rumors linking Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Boston Celtics are and will continue to be a broken record until a trade happens, whether it's to Boston or not. What could work in Boston's favor this summer, compared to Giannis' other suitors, is that they can offer first-round draft assets for the two-time MVP, while most other teams can't.
The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson harped on this, as a fair amount of Antetokounmpo's suitors can't offer first-round picks after the draft if he's still a Buck by then.
As bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said, Bucks prefer resolution on Giannis before the draft. One big reason why: Among teams that reportedly have been linked to Giannis, 5 of them (Heat, Lakers, Knicks, Cleveland, Minnesota) cannot offer any 1st rounders THIS DECADE if trade is not…
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) May 21, 2026
For that reason, Jackson believes Boston is among the most realistic destinations for Antetokounmpo because they have most of their first round capital.
Houston and Boston would be the logical (speculative) potential Giannis suitors who would benefit most by this extending past the draft and into July and August, if either the Rockets or Celtics pursue him. https://t.co/N70zbVo9ym
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) May 21, 2026
Boston has traded some of their future draft capital - they owe San Antonio a 2028 pick swap from the Derrick White trade and traded an unprotected first-round pick to Portland from the Jrue Holiday trade - but besides that, have all their assets.
So, this makes for quite an interesting conundrum for them. They will probably still be all-in on Giannis pre-draft and post-draft, but they would acquire some leverage if the Bucks can't find a deal for him, as his market would shrink.
But how many picks would the Celtics realistically offer?
If the Celtics really want Antetokounmpo, they can (and likely will) offer a motherload to Milwaukee, but at the same time, these sweepstakes are happening for someone who is a flight risk. Not to mention, the Celtics can offer Jaylen Brown in a straight-up salary-matching swap.
Also, Brown might not be on Antetokounmpo's level, but there aren't that many better players out there that can be dangled for the superstar. There can, but they won't be available. Like, Denver wouldn't offer Nikola Jokic for Giannis. Houston could offer Kevin Durant for Giannis, but that would kind of defeat the purpose of going after the Greek Freak in the first place.
So a hypothetical deal would revolve around Brown, but with the prospect of Antetokounmpo skipping town in 2027 a big elephant in the room, the Celtics would be wary of how many pick they would be willing to offer.
Now, if Giannis makes a verbal commitment to stay with the Celtics like Kevin Garnett did when Boston traded for him back in 2007, then anything's on the table.
Brad Stevens has been pretty good about knowing when to utilize his draft assets. He has traded them typically for players who would give the Celtics reinforcements. Trading for Antetokounmpo would be a different situation, but because he hasn't pulled the trigger on a selling the farm-type deal, he now suddenly has an opportunity where he absolutely can for an all-time player.
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