Sports

NBA Insider Believes Celtics Are ‘In' On Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Talks

With the 2026 NBA Draft quickly approaching, all eyes are fixed on the situation involving Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The most likely scenario figures to be the Bucks trading him by the draft, although nothing has come to light just yet.

There are a lot of ways this situation could play itself out, but with the draft coming soon, the smoke around Antetokounmpo should increase.

While the Miami Heat have long been considered the favorites to land Antetokounmpo, one NBA insider believes the Boston Celtics are "in on" the sweepstakes for the Bucks star.

"I have heard Boston is shopping people around a lot right now," per insider Kevin O'Connor.

"That Boston is making calls, Boston is open to trading anybody besides Jayson Tatum. And that doesn't necessarily mean they land Giannis at the end of the day, but I do believe, based on all the conversations I've had, that the Celtics are in on Giannis. And if they are making a push on him and that this seems to be currently a two-team race with Milwaukee to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo."

Celtics Would Most Likely Move on From Jaylen Brown

 Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) on the court before game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) on the court before game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers. Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

With the Celtics emerging as a team of interest regarding an Antetokounmpo trade, that would mean that Jaylen Brown is likely on his way out.

Miami Heat reporter Ira Winderman also mentioned the same thing on Friday, stating that the Celtics will be looking for someone to take on Brown in the event a trade gets done.

"I think Boston is not only back in but Milwaukee right now is trying to find a third team for Jaylen Brown. It's very real," Winderman said.

The preference the entire time for Antetokounmpo is not to go west and stay in the Eastern Conference, so the Heat and Celtics make sense as realistic options for the Bucks star.

But, Boston moving on from Brown would be a tough pill to swallow, although they would likely get a large package for him.

The NBA Draft begins on June 23, so there should be some clarity involving this trade before the Washington Wizards are on the clock.

Related: Brian Windhorst Reveals Price For Cavs To Land Giannis Antetokounmpo

Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 12:35 PM.

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