The Boston Celtics remain one of the teams most frequently linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo, and veteran NBA insider Sam Amick believes there is little hesitation in Boston if Milwaukee ever agreed to a straightforward superstar exchange.
Speaking on Run It Back on Thursday, Amick said, “If the Bucks said ‘Jaylen Brown for Giannis, straight up,’ I think the deal is done,” adding that “something is driving the Celtics to be interested.”
The comments arrive as speculation surrounding Antetokounmpo’s future continues to dominate league discussions ahead of the June 23 NBA Draft. Milwaukee finished 32-50 during the 2025-26 season, missed the playoffs, and holds the No. 10 overall pick, while the Celtics went 56-26, won the Atlantic Division, and secured the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed before suffering a surprising first-round playoff exit against Philadelphia.
Boston’s interest is easy to understand when comparing the résumés of the two stars. Antetokounmpo remains one of the league’s most dominant two-way players and a two-time MVP capable of transforming a franchise’s championship outlook. However, acquiring him would almost certainly require the Celtics to part with Brown, who has developed into one of the NBA’s premier wings.
Brown is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. The 29-year-old averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 71 games while earning All-NBA Second Team honors and finishing sixth in MVP voting. He shot 47.7% from the field and helped Boston post the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.
Despite Brown’s value, multiple reports have suggested Boston has explored what a potential Antetokounmpo trade would require. Veteran Boston reporter Gary Washburn recently said the Celtics are “sniffing around” the situation but added he does not believe Antetokounmpo will ultimately become a Celtic.
“I don’t think [Giannis] is going to be a Celtic,” Washburn said on NBC Sports. “That’s just from what I’m hearing.”
One of the biggest complications remains Milwaukee’s preference in any potential trade. According to reporting from Marc Stein and others, the Bucks may not view Brown as the centerpiece of their next era. Instead, league executives believe Milwaukee could seek to reroute Brown to a third team in exchange for younger players, draft capital, and long-term flexibility.
That possibility has fueled speculation about a multi-team structure involving clubs with significant draft assets. Portland has frequently surfaced as a potential facilitator because of its collection of picks and young players.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently reported that Boston and Miami have emerged as the two teams most consistently connected to Antetokounmpo in league conversations. Miami is believed by several insiders to hold an advantage, particularly amid reports that the Heat are viewed as Antetokounmpo’s preferred destination if he ultimately leaves Milwaukee.
For the Celtics, the risk extends beyond the trade package itself. ESPN analyst Bobby Marks recently cautioned that Boston must be careful if Brown becomes aware he was seriously discussed in negotiations and a deal never materializes. Brown remains under contract through the 2029-30 season and is one of the foundational pieces alongside Jayson Tatum.
