In a stunning development, reports indicate that Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is exploring potential trade destinations outside of Milwaukee, with the Boston Celtics emerging as a surprising front-runner. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Celtics are among a select group of teams with the assets to acquire Antetokounmpo while still fielding a championship-contending roster.
“I think you have to look at the teams that could make a trade for Giannis that the Bucks would accept and at the other side of the trade would have a contending team,” Windhorst said on ESPN’s Get Up. “So, Boston would be on that list. I think New York would be on that list.”
The Bucks have struggled to replicate their 2021 championship success, failing to advance past the first round of the playoffs since losing to the Celtics in the 2022 Eastern Conference semifinals. Despite consistent regular-season performance—winning at least 48 games in each of the past four seasons—Milwaukee has seen a steady decline in playoff results, prompting speculation about Antetokounmpo’s future.
For a trade to materialize, any potential destination would need to offer a better situation than Milwaukee, where Antetokounmpo is under contract for the next three seasons. The Celtics, pairing Antetokounmpo with Jayson Tatum, could form a formidable duo, though acquiring him would likely require Boston to part with a combination of high-salary players and future draft picks. Windhorst noted that navigating the NBA’s salary cap aprons presents challenges, but teams like Boston and the New York Knicks have the resources to construct a viable trade package.
Another team mentioned in trade rumors is the San Antonio Spurs, led by 7-foot-3 phenom Victor Wembanyama. However, Windhorst suggested that Antetokounmpo’s best chance at contending for a title lies in the Eastern Conference. “The move for Giannis, if he has the control, is to go to the East,” Windhorst said, citing the intense competition in the Western Conference, where up to 13 teams could be vying for playoff spots next season.
As the Bucks’ postseason struggles continue, the possibility of a blockbuster trade involving the two-time MVP is gaining traction. If the Celtics can assemble the right package, pairing Antetokounmpo with Tatum could create a dynasty in the making, shaking up the NBA landscape.