Story perspectives

Bucks Trade Giannis, Portis to Heat; Celtics Retain Brown

6/24/2026

Summary

Giannis Trade

The Milwaukee Bucks traded Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat, following Boston’s offer of Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks, pending finalization on July 6.
Miami gave Bucks Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and the 13th pick.
Celtics president Brad Stevens said they will keep Jaylen Brown after a 56-win, No. 2-seed season.
Brown finished sixth in MVP voting and earns $60 million a year with a $70 million contract.

Summary

Brown Earns Honors

Brown posted 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, earning second-team All-NBA honors.
He joined Larry Bird and John Havlicek as the only Celtics with that line and was the 2022 NBA Finals MVP.
Brad Stevens said the Celtics must reset by stressing rim-pressure and dunks instead of three-point shooting.
Tracy McGrady said Brown was deeply frustrated with the Celtics, a comment he later retracted.

History

Historical Context

In July 2010 LeBron James announced on ESPN’s “The Decision” that he would join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, creating a “Big Three” after the Heat entered free agency with $46 million of cap space. The trade sent Cleveland and Toronto four first-round and two second-round picks, reshaping league power and setting a precedent for later moves such as the 2024 Bucks-Heat trade.

1 of 3

Giannis Trade

The Milwaukee Bucks traded Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat, following Boston’s offer of Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks, pending finalization on July 6.
Miami gave Bucks Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and the 13th pick.
Celtics president Brad Stevens said they will keep Jaylen Brown after a 56-win, No. 2-seed season.
Brown finished sixth in MVP voting and earns $60 million a year with a $70 million contract.

1 / 3