The Heat and Celtics are believed to be atop Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s current list of desired trade destinations, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link).
While Miami has long coveted the Bucks superstar and will likely have “substantive” talks with Milwaukee about a possible deal, Stein say’s it’s not certain how Boston feels about a potential franchise-altering trade that would likely have to involve Jaylen Brown and at least three teams.
Stein continues to hear Antetokounmpo prefers a trade to an Eastern Conference team capable of competing for championships rather than a move to the West. That presumably has to do with the strength of the Thunder and Spurs, whose young cores could make the two teams fixtures atop the conference for years to come.
Although Stein doesn’t expect the Mavericks to pursue Antetokounmpo this summer because they’re focused on building around Cooper Flagg (for what it’s worth, they also lack future first-round picks), league sources tell The Stein Line that the the two-time MVP has long been intrigued by the possibility playing in Dallas.
As Stein explains, Antetokounmpo’s Mavs interest was first piqued by the possibility of teaming up with Luka Doncic, who was shockingly traded to the Lakers in February 2025. The 31-year-old continued to monitor the team from afar due to his close relationship with Jason Kidd, who recently parted ways with the team after five years as head coach, Stein writes.
The Mavericks did some background work leading up to the deadline to try and determine if Antetokounmpo was still interested in a possible trade to Dallas, according to Stein, who says Kidd’s exit wouldn’t necessarily preclude a deal. New Mavs president Masai Ujiri is also close to Antetokounmpo and the Raptors — Ujiri’s former team — were long linked to the Greek forward.
Still, Stein reiterates that Antetokounmpo is focused on Eastern clubs and he’s expected to have a considerable amount of say in trade talks, since he only has one guaranteed year on left on his contract. Antetokounmpo becomes extension-eligible in October.
The Miami possibilities aren’t great, as their draft picks are all their own, and Herro as a centerpiece isn’t exciting anyone in Milwaukee or a third team. Boston isn’t much better but I think doable. Brown somewhere for a collection of young talent and picks to Milwaukee. But that third team seems hard to identify, since they also have to have $50m in contracts they don’t want to keep but the Bucks are OK taking over.
Wonder if a better option for Boston might be Aaron Gordon. Obviously not the same level of player, but they also wouldn’t have to give up Brown.
Blazers are the ideal third team, with the Bucks’ picks, plus young players, and vets on matchable contracts. Portland has been linked directly to Giannis, but I think them being the facilitator is far more likely.
Buck fans are saying to themselves just get it over with. Got to feel bad for going all these rumors everyday and knowing your best player wants out. They are just hoping for a great deal and a future all star in the trade.
Mavs added to drum up interest.