New Giannis Trade Rumors Update Timeline for Potential Deal amid Heat, Celtics Links

NBA insider Chris Haynes apparently isn't convinced the question as to where Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will be playing next season will be settled by Tuesday's start of the 2026 NBA draft.

Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam previously told reporters he saw before the draft as a "natural time" to make a decision regarding Antetokounmpo's future.

"From what I'm hearing, this can drag into free agency. This could drag on into July," Haynes said Wednesday on Sirius XM NBA Radio's Deals and Dunks. "So, the Bucks are not operating as if that is the 'deadline'... I do still believe he will be moved this offseason, but I'm not as certain as I was before that it'd be done before the draft."

Haynes added: "The Bucks have to get this right, and so that's why they're not under any pressure, they don't feel any pressure to do anything ASAP."

Haynes went on to describe the Miami Heat as a suitor that might be under more pressure than the Boston Celtics to pursue Antetokounmpo.

"Boston doesn't seem as promising a destination as we thought. I think there's interest, but there's not a clear sign as of right now that is their No. 1 objective," Haynes said.

Regarding the Heat, Haynes said: "It ain't like Miami's going to pull back, because Miami wants... they need somebody right now. There's a lot of pressure happening in Miami to really bring a legitimate star to South Beach."

"I don't think the Celtics are all in," Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe added on Sirius XM (h/t Heat Culture). "I think they kicked the tires on this deal to see what it would take to get Giannis. The Celtics are not dangling Jaylen Brown out there… I think Miami is going to be the team. They just gotta figure out a package."

The Associated Press' Tim Reynolds reported earlier this week that Antetokounmpo "still wants to be in Miami," potentially increasing the chances the Heat would be willing to give up a haul with confidence he could sign an extension after the trade.

The Heat currently hold the No. 13 pick in the 2026 draft, which ESPN's Brian Windhorst previously reported the franchise had offered to the Bucks as part of a potential Antetokounmpo trade.

Miami isn't technically eligible to trade the No. 13 selection, but could negotiate with another team to make a selection on their behalf before dealing the player, per Anthony Chiang and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.