Latest Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors: Heat, Celtics front-runners

The NBA draft is one day away. And so is the Milwaukee Bucks' self-imposed deadline for trading star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said last month that he wanted to have the situation with the two-time league MVP settled before the June 23 draft. "Because if Giannis does play somewhere else, we've got to have a lot of assets. That's Jon's (GM Jon Horst) job to do. And if he's here, then you build the team differently," Haslam told reporters May 6.

The Bucks grasp the magnitude of moving the greatest player in franchise history, one who ranks first in points (21,531), rebounds (8,882), assists (4,484), blocks (1,088), triple-doubles (56) and games played (895). So the price to land him isn't going to be cheap.

With the clock ticking, a deal would have to come together pretty quickly.

Top landing spots for Giannis Antetokounmpo

USA TODAY Sports' Lorenzo Reyes lists his top five destinations for Giannis if a trade comes together, led by the Miami Heat.

Miami’s offer is pretty clear-cut: Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware and other younger players combined with draft assets that include the No. 13 overall selection in this year’s draft. The Heat have been the most active and consistent team in Antetokounmpo talks, going back to the February trading deadline, if not years earlier.

Reyes' top five landing spots, based on fit:

Miami Heat
Orlando Magic
Boston Celtics
Portland Trail Blazers
Cleveland Cavaliers

Celtics could offer Jaylen Brown in trade

NBA insider Marc Stein reported overnight that the Boston Celtics could offer the Bucks a package headlined by five-time All-Star forward Jaylen Brown.

UPDATE: One league source, after my story published, told @TheSteinLine that the Celtics emerged from the weekend “with a real shot” to win this race with a Jaylen Brown-centric offer … adding that Milwaukee has considered going ahead even without a third-team facilitator. https://t.co/aaeQ1agUKX
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2026

Warriors out of Giannis trade picture

The Golden State Warriors reportedly made a strong bid for Antetokounmpo at last season's trade deadline, offering a package centered around forward Jonathan Kuminga and guard Jimmy Butler.

However, sources reportedly told The Stein Line's Jake Fischer earlier this month that the Warriors have not factored into any recent trade talks for Antetokounmpo.

Could Timberwolves be a stealth candidate?

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne agreed with the overall leaguewide consensus that the Heat and Celtics are among the most likely destinations for Antetokounmpo. However, she floated another dark horse team into the mix: the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Shelburne highlighted a potential pairing with guard Anthony Edwards, "who's been successful in the playoffs, but has not gotten over that hump. You're on the clock with a superstar of that caliber in his 20s."

The Heat, Celtics, and Timberwolves are in a 3 team race for Giannis, per @ramonashelburne

"Right now it's really 3 teams you hear most about. The Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat.... For Boston, it would be the best player they could give Jayson Tatum to play… pic.twitter.com/PbxOYZd9rg
— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) June 21, 2026