It has happened.
At long last, the NBA’s ongoing Giannis Antetokounmpo saga is over after the Milwaukee Bucks superstar was traded on Tuesday afternoon to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster deal.
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ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news, reporting that Antetokounmpo has been traded along with Bobby Portis for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, unprotected first-rounders in 2031 and 2033 along with No. 13 in this year’s draft, a pick swap in 2030 and a 2033 second-rounder.
It is a simple two-way trade, although Charania added the Heat and Bucks will finalise the deal on July 6, which opens the door for more moves with Herro rumoured to be a potential target for the Detroit Pistons.
The Heat will now build around a lethal frontcourt featuring Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo and while there isn’t much else around them, Erik Spoelstra has previously proven himself capable of getting the most out of any player regardless of talent.
The trade is bad news for the Boston Celtics, who along with the Heat were widely viewed as the leading destinations for the two-time MVP.
Antetokounmpo was the face of the Bucks after delivering the franchise its first championship in 50 years, but after another frustrating season and growing uncertainty around the franchise’s direction, scrutiny over his future only intensified.
On the court, his production remains elite. Despite injuries limiting him to 36 games last season, he still averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists, reinforcing why he remains one of the most valuable players in the game.
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While the Celtics have missed out on Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown’s future remains clouded after he was positioned at the centre of trade discussions.
The All-Star forward had been repeatedly linked to any potential package for Antetokounmpo, with Charania confirming he was at the centrepiece of a move for the Bucks superstar.
That didn’t happen in the end, although comments from ESPN insider Brian Windhorst raise a question as to whether rumours of a potential Brown trade elsewhere may be over.
“I understand that the initial response is going to be, ‘Well, what does Jaylen Brown think about this?’” Windhorst said on First Take.
“From what I understand, Jaylen Brown is accepting this and realises 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.”
The 29-year-old has spent his entire career in Boston, helped deliver a championship, and remains one of the league’s premier two-way wings, averaging 28.7 points last season.