The Boston Celtics have signaled they would include Jaylen Brown in any deal to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. Miami also ranks among the primary suitors. Antetokounmpo remains under contract for 2026-27 at $58.5 million with a player option the following season.

Brown carries a $57.1 million salary next season on the final three years of his designated veteran extension. Antetokounmpo appeared in just 36 regular-season games last year while dealing with leg issues that also hampered his playoff availability. Brown finished sixth in MVP voting after a season in which he anchored Boston's offense alongside Jayson Tatum.

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Pairing Antetokounmpo with Tatum would create a frontcourt mismatch nightmare for opponents, especially in transition and at the rim. Brown's perimeter creation and two-way versatility would be difficult to replace. Yet the Greek Freak's ability to dominate without the ball in his hands could simplify Tatum's usage and open cleaner looks for Boston's shooters. The fit hinges on health more than skill overlap.

Boston's first-round postseason exit exposed roster limitations that front-office decisions must now address. Discussions around Brown reflect a willingness to reshape the core rather than stand pat after consecutive deep playoff runs that ended short of another title. Rival executives have noted the Celtics' active outreach in recent weeks as they explore options beyond their current core.

Any deal would likely require a third team to absorb Brown and facilitate salary matching. Milwaukee seeks draft capital and young talent instead. The draft sits less than two weeks away, creating a narrow window for conversations to produce a framework before free agency begins. A completed trade before June 26 would allow Boston to integrate Antetokounmpo into summer workouts.

The calculus comes down to whether a 31-year-old Antetokounmpo with recurring lower-body concerns represents a higher-upside bet than retaining a proven, durable co-star in Brown for the next three seasons.