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Mock trade sends Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Celtics
Bucks’ big moves for Giannis Antetokounmpo's family won’t decide his future, says Shams Charania 3 Alex Antetokounmpo, middle, teamed with older brothers Giannis and Thanasis for the 2022 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge in Cleveland. Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Bucks have gone to great lengths to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo satisfied. Over the summer, they made bold moves to strengthen the roster, including waiving Damian Lillard and using the stretch provision on his contract to create additional cap space.

Milwaukee acquired former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner on a four-year, $108 million contract and added former Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony to the roster. They also kept Giannis happy by bringing in his brothers, Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo.

Even with all these moves, it probably won’t be enough to turn Milwaukee into a true Eastern Conference contender. Antetokounmpo is already weighing his options beyond the team that drafted him, with Shams Charania reporting that he explored a potential move to the New York Knicks this past summer.

In a major trade scenario suggested by Matt Moore of Fansided, the Milwaukee Bucks would send Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Boston Celtics in exchange for a package centered around Jaylen Brown.

Giannis Antetokounmpo for Jaylen Brown trade scenario


Mock trade sends Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Celtics 2 Oct 28, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket defended by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

The proposed trade would send Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, and Bobby Portis to the Boston Celtics, while the Milwaukee Bucks would receive Jaylen Brown, Anfernee Simons, Sam Hauser, Xavier Tillman, and two first-round picks in return.

In a deal that could completely reshape the Eastern Conference, the Bucks and Celtics would essentially exchange their core players and redefine the direction of both franchises.

“Obviously, Jaylen Brown is the best player in any of these packages that the Bucks can get back. A good-to-great player, in his prime, on a long-term contract. It would be painful for the Celtics to make this trade, to the point where it’s unlikely they do because of how much they value him,” Mooree wrote for this trade scenario.


Mock trade sends Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Celtics 3 May 7, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket against Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the second quarter during game three of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Trading away three key starters would completely reshape Milwaukee’s roster. Jaylen Brown would step in as the new focal point, giving him the platform to lead a team on his own after years of splitting the spotlight with Jayson Tatum in Boston.

Tatum’s Achilles injury has thrown Boston’s season into uncertainty, and with expectations lowered in his absence, the Celtics might see this as the perfect time to make a bold move for a player of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s caliber.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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