NBA Mock Trade: Giannis Antetokounmpo Shakes Up Fantasy Basketball With Celtics Trade
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The Boston Celtics are kicking off the offseason sooner than many expected. The Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed suffered a shocking upset at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs, sending Boston home in a grueling seven-game series. After a brief postseason run, Brad Stevens and company will hit the drawing board with a major target in the team’s crosshairs.
The Celtics made a strong push for two-time MVP and Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of February’s trade deadline, but the future Hall of Famer remained with the team through the regular season. Entering the offseason, a trade to move Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee appears imminent, and the Celtics are expected to pick up where they left off in their pursuit of the 10-time All-Star.
Antetokounmpo’s relationship with the Bucks has become mightily strained over the past 12 months, with the two sides meeting to discuss his future on several occasions during that span. Now, ahead of his 14th NBA season, Antetokounmpo could finally be traded.
Boston would likely be near the top of the list of Antetokounmpo’s preferred destinations, and the team could present a compelling offer for the Bucks as they work out a trade package with the star big man. Let’s look at a mock trade to send Antetokounmpo to Boston as postseason action rolls on throughout the league:
Boston Celtics-Milwaukee Bucks Mock Trade & Fantasy Basketball Impact
Boston receives Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee receives Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Tre Jones, 2026 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick (SAS), 2031 first-round pick swap, 2032 first-round pick swap
Chicago receives Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, Luka Garza, Ryan Rollins, 2026 second-round pick (DET)
In the proposed deal, the Bucks move Antetokounmpo for a crop of players and picks, with the Chicago Bulls included to facilitate the deal financially. Boston brings in the star forward to pair alongside Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, forming arguably the top ‘big-three’ of any team in the NBA. In a relatively open Eastern Conference, the star trio is set to command the conference for the foreseeable future.
From a fantasy basketball perspective, Antetokounmpo’s stock could take a slight hit joining the star wing tandem, taking the ball out of his hands in some half-court sets. Still, his rebounding production, efficient scoring and reliable playmaking output will help him sustain his status as one of the top players in fantasy.
Why The Celtics Make The Trade
It would hurt to lose the backcourt pairing of Derrick White and Payton Pritchard for Boston, but this move is all about upside and immediate impact. Antetokounmpo fills a massive need for the Celtics defensively, serving as an anchor on that end of the floor. He can set up the offense, provide dominant rebounding output and serves as an ideal pick-and-roll partner for both Tatum and Brown. He’s shown he’s still a dominant presence on the offensive end and will mesh seamlessly alongside the two star Celtics wings.
Why The Bucks Make The Trade
After a storied decade-plus win with Antetokounmpo leading the way, securing a championship along the way, it’s time for the Bucks to tear it down and enter a full-fledged rebuild. As the team gears up for a new era in search of a new superstar, it could stockpile significant draft capital in a return for its superstar. Milwaukee is in no place to contend right away, even with the help of Antetokounmpo. Moving the star could kickstart the team’s build, providing some notable assets along the way.
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Ethen Hutton is a MLB, WNBA, College, and Fantasy contributor at On SI. Previously, he's covered the NBA, WNBA and NFL for Sportskeeda. Hutton is also a passionate fantasy football player and an immense music lover.