Bucks Turned Down Jaylen Brown For Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade

The Boston Celtics tried their best to land longtime Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Miami Heat ultimately won the sweepstakes.

After months of speculation, the Bucks agreed to send Antetokounmpo to the Heat for a trade package that includes three first-round picks, a pick swap, a second-round pick, Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakucionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel'el Ware.

Herro (19.5 points per game during his career in Miami) is the highlight of the deal for Milwaukee, there's no doubt about it. That being said, Jaquez showed serious potential this year by averaging 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds per game.

So what did the Celtics offer? Apparently, they were willing to part ways with All-Star swingman Jaylen Brown.

"The Bucks seriously negotiated with two finalists in recent weeks: the Heat and Boston Celtics, who were both on Antetokounmpo's list of preferred destinations. The Celtics registered interest in Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline in February, and aggressively pursued him this time around, offering Milwaukee a package featuring 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks, according to sources," Charania wrote.

"The Bucks chose the Heat's offer in order to bring more flexibility and big-picture approach with controlled contracts and long-term competitiveness for new coach Taylor Jenkins to imagine the next generation of Milwaukee -- versus a veteran, win-now superstar player-led package that places the immediate focus on the present. Horst and Heat general manager Andy Elisburg finalized the agreement on Monday night."

What happens to Jaylen Brown?

Brown just had his best season with the Celtics, averaging 28.7 points per game. It's unclear if he wants out of Boston, but he's certainly aware of all the trade rumors surrounding him.

​"Somewhat grateful, because I get to see some negativity that I didn't want. But that just gives more fuel to the fire," Brown said on a recent Twitch stream. "I see some comments, or takes, that I didn't even care to see, but it just gives me more fuel to the fire. To all the people who have doubted me, that want me to do this or want me gone, you're turning me into a monster."

Now that Milwaukee is no longer a suitor for Brown, it'll be interesting to see if another team makes an offer.

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This story was originally published June 23, 2026 at 12:13 AM.