Miami has – As the NBA trade deadline for Giannis Antetokounmpo nears, Celtics columnist Gary Washburn says the Celtics don’t expect to land the Bucks star—and he believes Miami currently has the advantage. Washburn describes Boston as “gauging” whether it could acquire A
When the conversation turns to Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Boston Celtics often come up first. But Gary Washburn, a Boston Globe NBA columnist, isn’t convinced Boston is headed for the finish line.
“I don’t think he’s going to be a Celtic and that’s just from what I’m hearing. ” Washburn said during an appearance on NBC Sports Boston. In his view. the Celtics are spending their time testing the trade math and the locker-room fallout: “I think the Celtics are gauging what it would take to get Giannis to Boston and trying to figure out whether they want to move Jaylen Brown. and if there’s rumors that Jaylen has been moved and he hears that all summer what kind of mentality would he have coming into next season. which is critical for this franchise.”.
Washburn also framed Miami as the team closer to a potential breakthrough. “I do think Miami has the edge on this,” he said. Even so, he added that Boston isn’t standing still. “I do think Boston is kind of sniffing around and finding out: Could you even acquire Giannis without sacrificing Jaylen?. That would be a big question. What exactly is Milwaukee looking for?”.
The details matter because trades don’t happen in isolation. Washburn said the Celtics would likely need a third team involved to put together a deal that works.
On the Bucks’ side, the timing is already set. Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said the franchise plans to make a decision before next week’s NBA Draft. Haslam—who also owns the Cleveland Browns—has experience in reshaping a roster in a hurry. and he enters this moment with a recent example from another sport. The Browns traded future-hall-of-famer Myles Garrett to the Rams for two-time Pro Bowler Jared Verse and picks.
Washburn pointed to why a similar approach could be on the table for Milwaukee. There has been speculation the Bucks could seek a package involving an all-star caliber player and draft picks. And from a financial standpoint. the building blocks exist: Jaylen Brown is a multi-time All-Star and a former Finals MVP. and his salary matches up with Antetokounmpo’s. making such a trade financially feasible.
But feasibility and willingness are different things—especially in Boston. Washburn said his expectation is that the Celtics would not be inclined to blow up the lineup in the process of chasing Giannis.
“I don’t think the chances are that he’s coming here and I don’t think that the Celtics shopping Jaylen Brown in this deal,” Washburn said. “I think they’re trying to figure out how to get him without Jaylen.”
Still, even if the Celtics attempt to protect their core, Washburn said the hardest part may be figuring out how the pieces fit once Antetokounmpo is in the mix. “I think it could be difficult for the Celtics to find out how Tatum and Antetokounmpo mesh together,” he said.
He left one more idea on the table—one that sounds like unfinished work rather than a clean break. “I think Jaylen and Jayson still have unfinished business,” Washburn said. “I think they still have work to do.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo Boston Celtics Miami Heat Gary Washburn Jaylen Brown Jayson Tatum Milwaukee Bucks Jimmy Haslam NBA trade rumors NBA Draft