Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to Miami, not Boston.
As first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, the Milwaukee Bucks are trading the superstar forward to the Miami Heat, along with Bobby Portis, in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks (including 13 overall this year), one pick swap and one second-rounder.
The Giannis sweepstakes came down to the Heat or the Boston Celtics, with reports over the last week and a half indicating that the Celtics had emerged as serious suitors, and were willing to give up their own star player in Jaylen Brown to get a deal done.
Charania reaffirmed that pursuit late Monday night, reporting that the Celtics had offered "a package featuring 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks." Based on that and other reports, including from The Ringer's Bill Simmons, it does not appear young wing Hugo Gonzalez was part of Boston's final offer.
For Boston, all eyes will now shift to how Brown reacts, and what Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens does next. Brown has clearly not been a fan of his name popping up in trade rumors in the past, including in a reported offer for Kevin Durant, and there may be some fence-mending that now needs to be done after weeks of having his name thrown around in Giannis reports.
Charania reports that Stevens "has not actively shopped Brown in trade talks" this offseason, but was willing to move him for a special player like Giannis. Presumably, Stevens' plan would now be to keep Brown paired with Jayson Tatum, unless another blockbuster presents itself or Brown himself requests a trade.
Tune in to WEEI all day Tuesday for reaction to this breaking news story.
