Bucks and Celtics Dominate NBA Trade Talk
As the NBA trade deadline gets closer, people are once again talking a lot about the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics. Even though fans are getting more and more excited, people who know the league well say that no big trades are likely to happen before the trade window closes.
There have been a lot of rumors about the Celtics being interested in Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Bucks being interested in trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, but neither story seems to have any real basis in fact. League executives think that big changes to rosters will probably happen in the summer instead of during the season.
Source: KSL.com
Celtics’ Pursuit of Jaren Jackson Jr. Meets Financial Roadblocks
Fans are excited by reports that Boston is interested in Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies, but experts say that this move would be impossible financially. The NBA luxury tax apron already puts a lot of restrictions on the Celtics, so adding another max contract would be very hard without getting in trouble.
Boston is already spending $145 million on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White for the 2026-27 season. Adding Jackson’s $49 million salary would put them well over the cap. One executive said, “It’s just not possible right now,” adding that the Celtics would have to break up their core if they made that trade.
Boston Has to Make Long-Term Cap Strategy Choices
In recent years, the Boston front office has worked hard to get around luxury tax rules, and adding another superstar would undo that work. The team is still focused on being financially flexible in the long term, especially since Tatum and Brown’s contracts are coming up soon.
Insiders say that the Celtics might look into big trades again this summer when they have more draft picks and cap space. One general manager said, “More teams will be able to make a big move after the season.” “That’s when a deal for a player like Jackson can happen.”
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Giannis Antetokounmpo Fuels Drama in Milwaukee
Giannis Antetokounmpo, on the other hand, has sparked trade rumors again after a week of problems with the Bucks. After losing to the Timberwolves by 33 points, the two-time MVP got a lot of attention for booing back at fans who were upset. His comments after the game only made things more interesting.
Giannis said, “I don’t think anyone has the right to tell me how to act after I’ve been here for 13 years,” stressing his legacy in Milwaukee. Even though he said he would stay loyal to the team, his obvious anger made people worry about possible problems behind the scenes.
Bucks’ Leadership Faces Pressure Amid Inconsistency
The Bucks’ inconsistent play has put pressure on the team to come up with answers. Management needs to find a balance between being loyal to Giannis and building a more competitive team around him, even though they still have high hopes for the championship. But it is still very unlikely that big trades involving franchise stars will happen before the deadline.
An executive said, “It’s almost impossible to move someone like Giannis in the middle of the season.” “Deals like that take a lot of planning and months of negotiations.” It looks like the leaders of Milwaukee are more interested in keeping things stable as they head into the playoffs than making big changes to the roster.
Broader Market Quiet Despite Trade Buzz
There is still a lot of talk about trades in the league, but not many teams are expected to make big changes before the deadline. Injuries, like Anthony Davis’s hand problem in Dallas, and limits on the salary cap have made front offices think twice.
The Golden State Warriors’ pursuit of Michael Porter Jr. has also cooled because of money problems. Other teams seem happy to wait until the offseason to make big changes to their rosters. One analyst said, “This year’s trade deadline will probably be more smoke than fire.”
Big Changes Could Still Happen
Fans might be unhappy with a quiet deadline, but insiders say that this summer will be huge. Teams will have more freedom, more draft picks, and clearer financial structures, which will make big trades possible. Once the offseason starts, both the Bucks and Celtics could have a big impact on the NBA.
The current trade rumor cycle does not offer much more than entertainment and speculation right now. The Bucks, Celtics, and other teams that are in the running seem to be set on finishing the season as they are and waiting for the right time to make their next big move.
