Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, so why not create an inferno of a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade proposal?
In a recent article ranking the possible landing spots for the two-time MVP (now that he’s scrubbed his social media accounts and reportedly asked to be dealt), CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn listed the Boston Celtics as a possible trade partner for the Milwaukee Bucks. While the New York Knicks look like the Greek Freak’s preferred destination right now, anything can happen as this situation progresses (especially after the news that Antetokounmpo will miss approximately two to four weeks with a right calf strain).
The deal between the Celtics and the Bucks would be simple:
- Celtics receive: F Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Bucks receive: F Jayson Tatum
That’s right, a one for one swap. Milwaukee trades its superstar for Boston’s. The salary cap situation this year would remain the same for both teams. But the NBA would be altered forever.
Does either team say yes to this deal? Do both teams say no? Let’s see it through for the two sides and find out.
Why Milwaukee Bucks Make This Trade
The Bucks, on paper, don’t seem that far away from contending, and ownership hasn’t shown it’s eyeing a rebuild. In fact, Milwaukee ate more than $100 million owed to Damian Lillard so they could sign the younger Myles Turner in free agency. You don’t make that move unless you’re all-in on trying to win a title.
Enter Jayson Tatum, a perennial MVP candidate and 2024 NBA champion who is three years younger than Antetokounmpo. The Bucks could pursue a title not only next year, but for two more years after that, as Tatum is under contract through the 2028-29 season (with a player option for 2030).
“The Bucks could get a true superstar with a long-term contract back for the one who’s leaving, tank out the rest of this season, get the lesser of two pretty valuable picks (their own and New Orleans’), and then immediately try to trade that pick for more help for Tatum,” Quinn wrote.
The sticking point on the Bucks’ end could be that no one knows what Tatum will look like on the court after recovering from a torn Achilles, which he suffered in the second round of the 2025 playoffs. Dealing your franchise icon for a player with a serious injury history would probably give ownership, and the fanbase, cause for concern.
Why Boston Celtics Make This Trade
The Celtics have all of the auxiliary pieces to get back to the NBA Finals this year in a wide open Eastern Conference. And with their championship pedigree, they are on the short list of teams that could challenge the reigning champion, the Oklahoma City Thunder. All Boston needs is a superstar to complete its roster.
In acquiring Antetokounmpo, the Celtics get a player who has finished top-three in MVP voting in three of the last four seasons. Not to mention, his defense is a cut above Tatum’s. Antetokounmpo would take over as the alpha, allowing Jaylen Brown to slot into the No. 2 role, which he played perfectly during the Celtics’ title run in 2024.
Why wouldn’t Boston make this trade? If anyone learned anything from the Luka Doncic saga last season, dealing away your franchise cornerstone when it’s not absolutely necessary could really backfire on the Celtics and general manager Brad Stevens.
“This isn’t a cold, rational world. It’s the real one,” Quinn wrote. “The Celtics wouldn’t trade Tatum for anything. That’s bigger than basketball. He’s their guy.”
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