Celtics’ Game-Changing Trade Proposal to Acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo for Jaylen Brown and More

The Boston Celtics, reeling from Jayson Tatum’s torn Achilles and a disappointing 2024-25 season, are at a crossroads. With the team already trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to manage a $500 million wage bill and luxury tax constraints, a blockbuster trade idea has emerged to reshape their future. This proposal, outlined by Sports Illustrated on July 18, 2025, envisions landing Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, pairing him with Tatum upon his return to form a championship-caliber duo. Here’s how the Celtics could pull off this audacious move, its potential impact, and the steep cost involved.

The Trade Proposal

• Celtics Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo (two-time MVP, $57.6M for 2025-26), A.J. Green.
• Bucks Receive: Jaylen Brown ($53.1M for 2025-26, 2024 Finals MVP), Anfernee Simons, Payton Pritchard, 2026 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick.
• Additional Notes: At least one more team would need to be involved to balance salaries due to Boston’s second-apron status, which prohibits aggregating contracts or taking back more salary than sent out.

Why the Celtics Would Do It

• Elite Talent Acquisition: Antetokounmpo, a 30-year-old, top-five NBA player, averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 2024-25, with a 60.2% field goal percentage (Sports Illustrated, 2025). Pairing him with Tatum (once healthy) could create one of the most dominant duos in league history, per Sporting News. His defensive prowess (2020 Defensive Player of the Year) and versatility would keep Boston competitive in 2025-26, a likely “throwaway” year without Tatum.
• Long-Term Vision: With Antetokounmpo under contract through 2027-28 (player option), the Celtics gain a multi-year window to chase titles, especially in a weaker Eastern Conference, as noted by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
• Financial Strategy: Trading Brown, Simons, and Pritchard reduces Boston’s payroll, helping navigate second-apron restrictions while adding a superstar, per CelticsBlog.

Why the Celtics Might Hesitate

• Steep Cost: Losing Jaylen Brown, a 28-year-old cornerstone and 2024 Finals MVP, is a massive blow. Brown’s leadership and two-way play were pivotal in Boston’s 2024 championship. Adding Simons, Pritchard, and three first-round picks (2026, 2028, 2030) depletes depth and future assets, per Sports Illustrated.
• Tatum’s Absence: With Tatum sidelined for most or all of 2025-26, Antetokounmpo alone may not elevate Boston to title contention, risking a wasted year, as noted by CBS Sports. Younger players like Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman would need to step up significantly.
• Fan and Cultural Impact: Trading Brown, a fan favorite, could spark backlash, especially after the PR hit from moving Holiday and Porzingis. CelticsBlog highlights Boston’s loyalty to its core, making this a tough sell.

Why the Bucks Would Consider It

• Rebuild Potential: Jaylen Brown, at 28, offers Milwaukee a younger franchise cornerstone to lead a retooling effort post-Antetokounmpo, especially with Damian Lillard out for 2025-26 due to an Achilles injury (Sports Illustrated, 2025). Simons and Pritchard add backcourt depth, and three first-round picks replenish Milwaukee’s depleted draft capital, critical after trading picks through 2032 (ESPN, 2025).
• Antetokounmpo’s Stance: Reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania indicate Antetokounmpo is “open-minded” about leaving Milwaukee after three straight first-round playoff exits, increasing trade likelihood.
• Financial Fit: Brown’s $53.1M salary nearly matches Antetokounmpo’s $57.6M, easing cap concerns, though a third team may be needed for compliance (Sports Illustrated, 2025).

Why the Bucks Might Balk

• Rival Concerns: Trading Antetokounmpo to a rival like Boston, who acquired Jrue Holiday in 2023 and won a title, is unappealing. Sports Illustrated notes Milwaukee’s reluctance to strengthen a competitor.
• Better Offers Elsewhere: Teams like the Spurs, Thunder, or Raptors could offer more draft picks or younger stars (e.g., Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green), per Sporting News and ESPN. Milwaukee may hold out for a stronger package.
• Antetokounmpo’s Value: As a two-time MVP and 2021 Finals MVP, Antetokounmpo’s trade value is immense. The Bucks may demand more than Brown and picks, per CBS Sports.

Broader Context and Challenges

• Celtics’ Financial Crunch: Boston’s $23M over the second apron limits trade flexibility. They can’t aggregate salaries or take back more than they send, making a straight Brown-for-Antetokounmpo swap the simplest path, though additional pieces like A.J. Green are needed for salary matching (CelticsBlog, 2025).
• Tatum’s Injury: Tatum’s absence complicates Boston’s timeline. Boston Herald suggests the trade was more feasible pre-injury, as Antetokounmpo may hesitate to join a team without its co-star for 2025-26.
• League-Wide Interest: Antetokounmpo’s openness to a trade has sparked interest from teams like the Knicks, Spurs, Raptors, and Warriors, per FOX Sports and Deadspin. Boston faces stiff competition in any bidding war.

Potential Impact

If executed, this trade could redefine the NBA landscape. For Boston, Antetokounmpo’s arrival would signal a bold pivot, keeping them playoff-relevant in 2025-26 and championship-ready by 2026-27 with Tatum’s return. For Milwaukee, Brown provides a foundation to stay competitive while rebuilding draft assets. However, Sporting News argues the trade may not align with Boston’s long-term loyalty to Brown or Milwaukee’s desire to avoid empowering a rival.

Fan and Analyst Sentiment

X posts reflect mixed feelings. @AlanGoldsher (July 16, 2025) called the trade a long shot but possible, sparking debate among Celtics fans torn between Brown’s legacy and Antetokounmpo’s star power. Analysts like *C個人的ly, I think the Celtics should hold off on trading Brown. He’s proven he can be a No. 1 option, and with Tatum’s injury, they need his leadership. Giannis is a game-changer, but the cost—Brown, Pritchard, Simons, and three first-round picks—is too steep for a team already thin on depth. Plus, Milwaukee’s not gonna help Boston after the Holiday trade. I’d rather see them tweak the roster around Brown and wait for Tatum’s return. What do you think—would you pull the trigger on this trade?