Could Giannis Antetokounmpo take his talents to Boston this summer? ESPN's Brian Windhorst advises those dismissing that possibility to change their position.
"The move for Giannis, if he has the control, is to go to the East," said Windhorst on ESPN's Get Up on Thursday. "I think you have to look at the teams that could make a trade for Giannis that the Bucks would accept and, on the other side of the trade, would have a contending team. So, Boston would be on that list."
"I think New York would be on that list," added Windhorst. The veteran NBA insider acknowledged, "There are some difficulties when you talk about aprons and second apron teams trying to make trades, and that's a reality. But there are some teams in the Eastern Conference you could construct an ability to get this done."
What would it cost the Celtics to acquire Giannis?
More than one might realize. Boston's over the second apron, which comes with significant consequences. That includes not being able to aggregate salaries. Antetokounmpo makes more than Jaylen Brown, so even before exploring the merits of that swap, the Celtics hit a roadblock. It's not an exchange they can make.
They also can't trade Jayson Tatum this year. The six-time All-Star signed a designated veteran contract extension last summer. It's the most lucrative player pact in NBA history. Granted, that title, which previously belonged to Brown, will change hands quickly.
As for any hopes of bringing Antetokounmpo to Boston, that requires getting under the second apron. If the organization accomplishes that, whether via a separate trade or by adding at least a third party to the deal with Milwaukee, then acquiring the two-time league MVP is a possibility.
The Celtics are about $20 million over the second apron, so the most likely path to getting under involves trading Jrue Holiday or Kristaps Porzingis.
Regardless of whether it helps actualize a trade for Antetokounmpo, odds are, at least one of them will not be with Boston to start next season.
It's also worth noting the Celtics can only trade pick No. 28 in this year's draft, plus one of their first-round selections in 2026 or 2027 and a pick swap in 2030. They've dealt their 2028 and 2029 first-round draft capital. They cannot trade their 2031 pick since their 2032 first-round selection is frozen.
But with Brown as the headliner, Boston could get this deal done.
Should the Celtics trade Jaylen Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Antetokounmpo is the better player. He finished third in the MVP voting -- one spot ahead of Tatum. He's been an All-NBA First Team staple for seven straight years, including this one.
Brown has one All-NBA selection, earning a spot on the Second Team for his production in the 2022-23 season.
In 2025-26, Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points. That was the second most in the Association, trailing only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 32.7. The nine-time All-Star also registered 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 blocks, and nearly 1.0 steals per contest.
Brown generated 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per tilt this season.
The arguments for remaining loyal to the latter include that at 28, he's two years younger than Antetokounmpo. Brown's impact on the community and what he means to the city he stars in also warrants consideration.
The idea of the Celtics emerging from a wide-open Eastern Conference and reaching the Finals without Tatum next season is more likely to occur with Antetokounmpo at the helm than Brown.
Boston's homegrown star has teamed with Tatum to make Eastern Conference Finals trips feel like an annual tradition. In their second appearance on the NBA's brightest stage, the duo led the Celtics to Banner 18. Success has been a constant for a tandem that has only spent two seasons together with both in their primes.
Having Antetokounmpo to lean on might be more beneficial to Tatum and the Celtics upon the latter's return. The former's dealt with back and leg injuries that are cause for concern with the six-foot-11 star now in his 30s. However, Brown will rehab this offseason from a partially torn meniscus. The 2026-27 campaign will be his age 30 season.
If the Celtics are willing to trade Brown, they must consider packages of picks and younger high-end talent they can acquire. That would also figure to include financial relief for a team in need. However, no one would fault them for accepting a deal for Antetokounmpo if that's a possibility.
The same goes for believing that, as short-lived as championship windows are, especially under this more punitive collective bargaining agreement, the organization's ability to contend for the Larry O'Brien Trophy will last longer with Brown flanking Tatum.
Brown's tenure in Boston has persisted amid trade rumors dating back to his draft night in 2016. However, the predicament the franchise finds itself in, with the possibility of acquiring Antetokounmpo, may represent the greatest threat to his time with the Celtics.