Giannis Antetokounmpo - Photo by Sporting News
MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) – The 2026 NBA Draft is this week, and it appears the race to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo is down to two teams.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Bucks are undecided about whether to accept the Celtics’ offer, which includes less draft capital but sends former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to Milwaukee, or the Miami Heat’s offer, which includes more young talent and the 13th overall pick in this week’s draft.
Stein adds that Boston has a “real shot” at acquiring Antetokounmpo since the Bucks’ front office does not want to enter a rebuilding phase and prefers to remain competitive if Giannis leaves, and obtaining a proven star like Brown in return would be difficult to pass up.
During an interview with ESPN on Monday, NBA insider Brian Windhorst spoke about reports that Brown would not play for Milwaukee if traded, saying, “Jaylen Brown is accepting this and realizing this is a chance to turn the page in his career, and that he may be getting his own team, which is something that he has thought about for some time.” Windhorst further stated that even if the deal for Giannis falls through, Brown could still get traded elsewhere.
Jaylen Brown is signed to a 5-year, $285.4 million contract with an average annual salary of $57.1 million and a full guarantee through the 2028-29 season.
Brown, guard Hugo Gonzalez, and multiple first-round picks, including the 27th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, are among the other pieces that the Bucks are reportedly seeking from Boston in exchange for Giannis.
The Heat have proposed a deal to the Bucks that includes Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jamie Jaquez Jr., and the 13th overall pick.
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