Trade Rumors Roundup: Giannis Antetokounmpo Expected to Be Moved by Next Wednesday; Ja Morant and Kawhi Leonard Become Backup Targets for the Heat

On June 19, Beijing time, renowned reporter Amick provided the latest NBA trade rumors involving several stars, including Giannis Antetokounmpo. Here are the details——

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Currently, the race for Giannis is likely entering its final window.

The Bucks' front office has set a deadline for themselves: before the start of the first round of the draft next Wednesday. It remains unclear whether the Bucks will proceed with a trade according to the plan of team co-owner Jimmy Haslam.

The Boston Celtics have long had a strong interest in Giannis. In the final stages of negotiations, they could disrupt the entire plan of Heat president Pat Riley. Of course, this is contingent on the Celtics being willing to show enough sincerity to complete the deal before the informal trade countdown ends.

The core question hanging over the entire situation will also directly determine the final outcome: the Celtics have deliberately avoided a key point that cannot be ignored—in any trade involving Giannis, Jaylen Brown must be included as part of the package. The Celtics' ideal scenario is a one-for-one swap of two All-Stars in their prime (Giannis is 31, Brown is 29). Remember, Brown just had the best season of his career, ranking sixth in MVP voting.

Many league executives have recently predicted that the Bucks might rebuild around Brown, but it is still unclear whether the Bucks will build around Brown or flip him for younger players and draft picks. However, there is a general consensus within the industry that Brown alone is not enough to convince the Bucks to let Giannis go.

The Celtics can include up to three future first-round picks in the trade; additionally, there are reports that Giannis is willing to sign an extension with the Celtics. Theoretically, these two factors are enough to prompt the Celtics to go all-in on this deal. After all, Giannis has a championship, two MVPs, and a Defensive Player of the Year award, with career accolades far surpassing Brown's. Such a historic superstar who can still dominate the league for years rarely becomes available on the trade market.

However, the Celtics' urgency is far less than that of the Heat. Multiple sources indicate that even if they miss out on Giannis, the Celtics can still keep the Brown-Tatum duo core and look for other ways to upgrade their frontcourt. League sources reveal that if they cannot acquire Giannis, the Celtics also have their eyes on Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III.

If draft day arrives and the Bucks' management, led by Haslam and general manager Jon Horst, are unsatisfied with all the offers they have received, how will things develop? The Bucks deliberately dragged this blockbuster trade into the offseason, betting that market interest would heat up and many teams would compete. But so far, that expectation has not materialized.

Some rival team executives say the Bucks are not happy with the current offers; however, the Bucks have always been tight-lipped about internal matters, so it's possible that promising negotiations are underway but not yet public. In the coming days, the true market direction will become clear.

2. Ja Morant

Grizzlies star Ja Morant was previously at the center of trade rumors, but the buzz has significantly cooled. However, league sources reveal that once the Giannis trade is settled, Morant will become a backup target for several teams. The Heat have long been interested in the 26-year-old two-time All-Star. It is believed that a serious offer from the Heat could revive the sluggish Morant trade market.

In the absence of a high-commitment suitor like the Heat, previous proposals from teams such as the Kings required the Grizzlies to include additional draft assets for them to take on Morant. Morant has two years left on his contract, totaling $87 million.

3. Kawhi Leonard

League sources confirm reporter Jake Fischer's report: The Clippers' Kawhi Leonard is on the Heat's backup list and is also the Warriors' top trade target. However, there is a major question across the league: Are the Clippers really willing to part with Leonard? Additionally, the league is investigating the Clippers for allegedly circumventing the salary cap through Leonard's contract, meaning any team that acquires him could face penalties in the future.

The 34-year-old Leonard is a seven-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Second Team last season. He is in the final year of his contract, with a salary of $50.3 million.

4. Jaylen Brown

The Trail Blazers have stated that if the Celtics are willing to trade Brown, they will pursue him aggressively. The Blazers had been chasing Giannis since the February trade deadline but are now largely out of the race. The Timberwolves' pursuit of Giannis has also cooled significantly, and the team has set its sights on Celtics guard Derrick White.

5. Detroit Pistons

Pistons center Isaiah Stewart has been placed on the trade block. The team is in dire need of perimeter shooting and playmaking and plans to give more playing time to seven-year veteran big man Paul Reed. Stewart has two years left on his contract totaling $30 million, with the second year being a team option.

The Pistons are also closely monitoring two guards: Lakers' Austin Reaves (if he becomes an unrestricted free agent) and Thunder's Isaiah Joe. Reaves is expected to decline his player option for next season and could sign an extension with the Lakers before free agency opens on July 1.

6. Walker Kessler

Reports this week covered the contract extension impasse between the Jazz and restricted free agent Walker Kessler. The situation is clear: if the 24-year-old Kessler were satisfied with the Jazz's offer, he would have signed by now.

Before signing, he still has multiple paths to leave Salt Lake City: a sign-and-trade, accepting an offer sheet from another team (which the Jazz can match), or signing a qualifying offer and becoming an unrestricted free agent after one year.

The Jazz have already presented a lucrative contract: ESPN first reported, and team sources confirmed, that the Jazz offered Kessler a five-year deal worth approximately $140 million.