The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes are down to the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat. A deal is expected to be finalized before Tuesday night’s NBA Draft, which means the Greek superstar should have a new home within the next 24 hours.

Momentum has seemingly shifted in Boston’s favor, and a major reason for that is the potential inclusion of Jaylen Brown in a return package.

Brown’s rumored reluctance to play for the Milwaukee Bucks had long been viewed as a sticking point, but recent reports suggest he may be warming up to the idea.

Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports wrote:

“Given that the Celtics’ offer is contingent on Jaylen Brown’s inclusion — despite a denial that has amused rival executives — there’s an increasing sense that not only is Brown comfortable with the idea of leaving Boston and being traded to Milwaukee, but is hoping to find a resolution over the next 48 hours, league sources said,”

The 29-year-old Brown has three years remaining on the five-year, $304 million supermax extension he signed with the Celtics in 2023. He averaged a career-high 28.7 points per game to go along with 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 71 appearances this past season.

ESPN insider Brian Windhorst has also indicated that Brown’s perspective on going to Milwaukee has started to change given that he’d be the face of the franchise and number one option.

“Jaylen Brown is accepting this and realizing this is a chance to turn the page in his career, and that he may be getting his own team, which is something that he has thought about for some time,”

It’s a significant development in terms of where Antetokounmpo ultimately lands because the Heat simply don’t have an asset that matches Brown’s stand alone value in a trade offer — especially given Miami’s apparent unwillingness to move Bam Adebayo.

If Brown is truly open to becoming a Buck, it may be the final piece needed to push a Giannis-to-Boston blockbuster across the finish line.

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