As hypothesis surrounding a possible Giannis Antetokounmpo commerce intensifies forward of the June 23 NBA Draft, a brand new layer has emerged within the dialog: the chance that the Milwaukee Bucks wouldn’t preserve Jaylen Brown if he had been a part of the return bundle.
Talking in regards to the league-wide anticipation surrounding Antetokounmpo’s future, veteran insider Marc Stein reported on ALL NBA Podcast that the prevailing perception amongst executives is that Milwaukee would like to flip Brown for youthful belongings and draft capital relatively than construct its subsequent period across the Celtics star.
“The working presumption while you discuss to individuals across the league is that the Bucks as a substitute of holding Jaylen Brown for themselves would relatively transfer him for belongings to get youthful and actually begin over,” Stein mentioned, by way of HoopsHype.
That stance displays Milwaukee’s present place. After ending 32-50 and lacking the postseason in 2025-26, the Bucks face a difficult rebuilding panorama, significantly as a result of a number of future draft picks had been beforehand despatched out within the trade that acquired Damian Lillard. In accordance with Stein, that actuality helps clarify why the Portland Path Blazers proceed to floor in league discussions as a possible facilitator.
Portland controls draft belongings tied to Milwaukee and will assist the Bucks recuperate a few of the flexibility they surrendered in earlier offers. Reasonably than centering a rebuild round a 29-year-old All-NBA wing on a most contract, Milwaukee could want to transform Brown into a bigger bundle of youthful gamers and future picks.
Brown stays one of many league’s most precious commerce belongings. The Celtics ahead is coming off a season wherein he averaged 28.7 factors, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists throughout 71 video games whereas earning All-NBA Second Team honors and ending sixth in MVP voting. He shot 47.7% from the sector and stays below contract by the 2029-30 season on a five-year, $285 million deal.
Regardless of his worth, latest reporting has constantly instructed that Milwaukee could not view Brown because the centerpiece of a post-Giannis future. Earlier this month, insider Kevin O’Connor mentioned he did not believe the Bucks wanted Brown directly in a potential Antetokounmpo trade and instructed a 3rd crew would probably be needed.
Boston’s curiosity in Antetokounmpo seems real. The Celtics completed 56-26, captured the Atlantic Division, regardless of receiving solely 16 regular-season video games from Jayson Tatum. Stories from a number of insiders have indicated the organization is exploring aggressive pathways to acquire the two-time MVP.
Nonetheless, one other main impediment stays Antetokounmpo’s contractual future. Stein famous that any crew surrendering an enormous bundle for the previous MVP would wish confidence that he intends to remain long run. Antetokounmpo turns into eligible for a contract extension six months after a commerce, making that dedication a important consider negotiations.
“There was a lot anticipation a couple of Giannis transfer,” Stein mentioned. “The best way this factor has been trending is that it’s lastly going to occur on this window between the Finals and the draft.”
