Steve Bulpett of Heavy reports that a league source told him the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks have not held direct talks regarding a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. If the two-time league MVP gets dealt, Bulpett adds that it is increasingly likely to involve more than just two teams.
From a Celtics standpoint, there are multiple ways to interpret this. The Bucks' wish list in exchange for trading the face of their franchise isn't known just around the Association; it has become public knowledge.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the expectation is that Milwaukee is holding firm on its trade deadline demand: A young blue-chip talent and/or a surplus of draft capital. Not only was that desired return easy to deduce, but it was likely conveyed to Boston when the two sides spoke around February.
The Celtics don't need to check in with the Bucks until they have a progress report worth passing along. It's also common for information not to see the light of day until it has gone stale. So, this information may be outdated, and these two parties have since re-engaged.
It's also worth noting that Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported earlier this month, "My understanding is that the Celtics to this point only expressed cursory interest in Giannis before the February trade deadline."
Where will Jaylen Brown end up if the Celtics trade for Giannis?
Even if Antetokounmpo is taking his talents to Boston, Brown's probably not bringing his to Milwaukee. As reflected in the Bucks' demands for making such a deal, their roster isn't built to support a star who's entering his age-30 season. Instead, they're aiming to get younger.
Three teams with reported interest in acquiring the former Finals MVP are the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, and Brown's hometown Atlanta Hawks. All three could offer a package of young talent and draft capital to help facilitate a deal that has Antetokounmpo in a Celtics uniform when the 2026-27 campaign tips off.
However, that also means they could pursue the 10-time All-Star instead. Some might prefer the younger, more durable option. But according to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Trail Blazers have their sights set on Antetokounmpo.
In Portland, he could reunite with Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard, and team with Deni Avdija and perhaps burgeoning center Donovan Clingan. It's a shorter window than bringing Brown to the Pacific Northwest, but in the immediate future, it would give the Trail Blazers a better chance at a championship.
Could the silence between the Celtics and Bucks mean Brown stays?
Yes, absolutely. Boston may have already decided it is not breaking up its franchise cornerstones of Brown and Jayson Tatum. Not announcing that publicly because of its potential impact on how much a competitor has to give up to acquire Antetokounmpo is understandable. However, if the organization hasn't told Brown that, it's in its best interest to do so.
The Celtics need to figure out how to level up if they're going to return to the NBA Finals stage and beat a team of the caliber of the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs. However, they are operating from a place of stability. Passing on the injury risks that come with a top-five player who has missed eight of Milwaukee's last 16 playoff games is an understandable decision. Boston has proof of concept with Tatum and Brown. Brad Stevens doesn't need to roll the dice on Antetokounmpo's health.
The Celtics could be maneuvering towards a trade that involves the Bucks and at least one other team. They'll let Milwaukee know when they have information worth sharing. However, there's also a distinct possibility that the lack of communication from the two sides stems from Boston's plan to continue building around Tatum and Brown.
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