The Boston Celtics are one of the flashiest names linked in trade rumors to Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. It makes sense on paper. The Celtics have assets. They have championship aspirations. They have a need for a frontcourt anchor who can dominate on both ends.
But here’s the problem: the Celtics may not be the most likely landing spot for Giannis. And it all comes down to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
As ESPN’s Bobby Marks pointed out in a new article, acquiring Antetokounmpo would almost certainly come at the cost of one of Boston’s current stars.
“Acquiring Antetokounmpo would almost certainly come at the cost of Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum and would continue Boston’s significant roster reshuffle that began in the 2025 offseason.”
The math is brutal. Brown is extension-eligible starting July 26 and has three seasons remaining. His salary next season is $57.1 million. Tatum has four years left on his contract and makes the identical salary as Antetokounmpo.
Would Giannis be an upgrade over either Brown or Tatum? Yeah, probably. He’s a two-time MVP. He’s a Finals MVP. He’s a Defensive Player of the Year. He’s a top-3 player in the world.
But he would cost more than just one player. There would likely be a chunk of draft picks involved, too. And that’s before you even consider the extension question.
Would the Celtics trade Tatum or Brown if there’s no assurance Antetokounmpo will extend his deal beyond the 2026-27 season?
As Marks puts it: “The answer should be a hard no.”
Let’s break down the Giannis-to-Boston rumors, the Tatum-Brown dilemma, and whether the Celtics should actually pull the trigger on a deal that would reshape the Eastern Conference.
The Tatum-Brown Reality: Two Stars Under Contract for Years
Let’s start with what the Celtics already have.
Jayson Tatum is 28 years old. He’s a top-5 player in the world. He has four years left on his contract. He’s the face of the franchise. He led the Celtics to a championship in 2024.
Jaylen Brown is 29 years old. He’s an All-NBA caliber wing. He has three seasons remaining on his contract. He’s a proven playoff performer. He’s a two-way star.
Together, they form one of the best duos in the NBA. They’ve been to the Finals together. They’ve won a championship together. They’ve been to multiple Eastern Conference Finals.
The Celtics are not a team in crisis. They’re a team that just won 56 games and lost in the first round because their best player was playing at 80% after returning from an Achilles rupture.
Trading either Tatum or Brown would be a massive gamble. It would be an admission that the current core isn’t good enough – and that’s a hard sell after a championship in 2024.
The Giannis Upgrade: Is He Better Than Brown or Tatum?
Let’s be honest.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is better than Jaylen Brown. That’s not a knock on Brown – it’s a statement about Giannis. He’s a two-time MVP. He’s a Finals MVP. He’s a Defensive Player of the Year. He’s a top-3 player in the world.
But is he better than Jayson Tatum? That’s a real debate. Tatum is a better shooter. Tatum is a better isolation scorer. Tatum is a better free-throw shooter. Giannis is a better defender, a better rebounder, and a more dominant interior force.
They’re both top-5 players. Swapping one for the other isn’t a clear upgrade – it’s a lateral move with different strengths and weaknesses.
The real question is whether Giannis fits better with the other star. Tatum and Giannis would be terrifying. Brown and Giannis would also be terrifying. But the Celtics would have to give up one of their own to find out.
The Contract Question: No Extension, No Deal
Let’s talk about the biggest hurdle.
Giannis has one year left on his contract after next season. He can become a free agent in 2027. The Celtics would be trading for a player who could walk away in a year.
Would they trade Tatum or Brown without assurance that Giannis will sign an extension? As Bobby Marks said, the answer should be a hard no.
Tatum has four years left on his deal. Brown has three. They’re both locked up long-term. Trading either for a rental would be organizational malpractice.
So the Celtics would need Giannis to commit to an extension before any deal is finalized. That’s not impossible – players often agree to extensions as part of trades. But it’s a significant hurdle.
The Draft Pick Cost: More Than Just a Star
Let’s talk about the rest of the package.
Acquiring Giannis wouldn’t just cost the Celtics one of their stars. It would also cost them a chunk of draft picks. The Bucks would demand significant compensation – likely multiple first-rounders and possibly pick swaps.
The Celtics have assets. They control six first-round picks over the next seven years. They could put together a competitive package.
But those picks are valuable. They could be used to add depth, to trade for role players, or to build for the future. Trading them for Giannis – especially if he doesn’t extend – would be a massive risk.
The Fit: Giannis in Joe Mazzulla’s System
Let’s talk about the basketball.
Joe Mazzulla’s system emphasizes three-point shooting, spacing, and ball movement. Giannis is not a shooter. He’s a paint-dominant force who needs the ball in his hands to be effective.
That’s not an impossible fit. The Bucks built a championship offense around Giannis. The Celtics could do the same. But it would require adjustments.
Tatum and Giannis would complement each other well. Tatum spaces the floor; Giannis attacks the rim. Brown and Giannis would also work.
But the Celtics would lose something in the trade. If they give up Brown, they lose perimeter defense and secondary playmaking. If they give up Tatum, they lose their best shooter and closer.
There’s no perfect answer.
The Bucks’ Perspective: Why Milwaukee Would Want Tatum or Brown
Let’s flip the script.
If the Bucks are trading Giannis, they want a star in return. They don’t want a package of role players and picks. They want a player who can be the face of their franchise for the next five years.
Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown would fit that bill perfectly. Both are young, both are under contract long-term, and both are proven stars.
The Bucks would also want draft picks – and the Celtics have them.
From Milwaukee’s perspective, a deal centered around Tatum or Brown would be the best possible outcome. They’d get a star and picks. They’d reset their franchise without bottoming out.
The Eastern Conference: What a Giannis Trade Would Mean
Let’s zoom out.
If the Celtics trade for Giannis, the balance of power in the Eastern Conference shifts dramatically. The Bucks would take a step back. The Celtics would take a step forward – potentially.
But if the Celtics trade Tatum or Brown and Giannis doesn’t extend, they could be left with nothing. That’s the nightmare scenario.
The Celtics have to weigh the risk against the reward. A core of Tatum, Brown, and Giannis would be the best in the NBA. That’s the dream.
But getting there would require giving up one of their own – and that’s a decision no GM wants to make.
The Marks Warning: A “Hard No” Without Assurance
Let’s go back to Bobby Marks’ analysis.
“Would the Celtics spit up Tatum or Brown if there is no assurance Antetokounmpo will extend his deal during the regular season? The answer should be a hard no considering Brown and Tatum have at least three years remaining on their contracts.”
That’s the bottom line. The Celtics have leverage. They don’t have to make a deal. They can run it back with Tatum and Brown and compete for a championship.
Giannis is a temptation. He’s a top-3 player. He’s a difference-maker. But he’s not worth trading a franchise cornerstone without a long-term commitment.
The Boston Celtics are one of the flashiest names linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo. It’s easy to see why. They have assets. They have championship aspirations. They have a need for a frontcourt anchor.
But the path to Giannis is blocked by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Acquiring Antetokounmpo would almost certainly cost the Celtics one of their stars. And without assurance that Giannis will extend his contract, that’s a risk Boston shouldn’t take.
As Bobby Marks wrote, the answer should be a hard no.
The Celtics have a championship core. They have Tatum and Brown locked up for years. They have a chance to compete for multiple titles.
Giannis is a temptation. But he’s not worth the gamble – not without a long-term commitment.
The Celtics should listen. They should explore. But they shouldn’t trade Tatum or Brown unless Giannis agrees to stay.
And that’s a big “if.”