As the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes continues to play out, there are credible reports that support arguments on either side of the most popular questions about how this will end.
For instance, NBA insider Chris Haynes recently expressed doubt that a deal will get done before the draft. However, Tom Haberstroh of Yahoo Sports disagrees.
Tom Haberstroh: “I expect the Milwaukee Bucks are going to trade Giannis this weekend."
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) June 18, 2026
That meshes with reports that the Bucks are carrying themselves like a team that will have multiple lottery picks.pic.twitter.com/4EVSMWodSg
"I expect the Milwaukee Bucks are going to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo this weekend," said Haberstroh in a recent appearance on The Kevin O'Connor Show. "If they add picks to their draft night on Tuesday, I think they're gonna want to know what picks they have with time to evaluate those positions and potentially flip those picks again to move up or move back. So, I think it's imperative for the Milwaukee Bucks to, this weekend, figure out their best options here, and make all the other suitors put their best offer on the table."
What a weekend Giannis trade means for the Celtics
Haberstroh is spot on. It's in the Bucks' best interest to do this now. Why? Because of the chance to add a second lottery pick in a loaded draft class. They'll put themselves in a position to move up for a top prospect. Even if they can't find a team that's willing to trade back, they can go forward with two young building blocks.
Furthermore, as Haberstroh notes, Milwaukee will want to give its scouts and front office as much time as possible to prepare for the decisions ahead. It's a franchise that doesn't have a stellar track record in recent drafts; making it more challenging than it already is would be a misstep as it ushers in a post-Antetokounmpo era.
And if the Bucks take this pragmatic approach, then the Miami Heat are probably the favorite to land the two-time MVP. As beatable as their offer is, it includes the No. 13 pick.
Jaylen Brown would be an odd fit in Brewtown on the heels of Antetokounmpo's departure. It's not a roster built to support a star who turns 30 in October. If it were, the team's homegrown talent would figure to sign an extension to stay.
The Boston Celtics could find a suitor, like the Atlanta Hawks, to help facilitate a deal. The latter could send Jalen Johnson or a package centered around the No. 8 pick in this year's draft to Milwaukee. It's possible, but it's also nothing more than exploring potential paths that bring the Bucks' star forward to Boston.
And just like there's reporting to the contrary, the Celtics may have no interest in breaking up their franchise cornerstones. At the very least, they might not want to roll the dice on the durability concerns surrounding Antetokounmpo.
What is clear is that watching the draft come and go without wrapping this up is likely a mistake for Milwaukee. That's why Haberstroh could look like Nostradamus by the time this weekend is over.
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