The Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics have emerged as frontrunners in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, according to Brian Windhorst. The NBA insider reported Tuesday that the two-time MVP would be willing to sign a contract extension if the Milwaukee Bucks ship him to either suitor.
With Antetokounmpo trade rumors ramping up, FS1’s Nick Wright weighed in on where the Greek superstar should play next to try to contend for his second NBA championship.
Nick Wright Urges Giannis Antetokounmpo To Choose Celtics over Heat
Antetokounmpo holds a $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season, meaning any team interested in trading for him will, unsurprisingly, want him to commit beyond his current deal. The 10-time All-Star is reportedly open to playing long-term for the Celtics or the Heat, giving both franchises a leg up in negotiations.
In Tuesday’s episode of “First Things First,” Wright was adamant about which destination Antetokounmpo should stay away from.
“I love the idea of Giannis in Boston. … I just don’t want him to go to Miami. Erik Spoelstra is one of the best coaches of this era, Pat Riley is a legend, and that is a great organization, but they will have no chance to compete,” Wright said.
“I love the idea of Giannis in Boston… I just really don’t want him to go to Miami… They will have no chance to compete and I wanna see him play in big games.”@getnickwright explains: pic.twitter.com/lVBZ1R7s6w
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) June 16, 2026
In Windhorst’s report, he wrote that the Heat could package the 13th pick in this year’s NBA Draft and an assortment of players headlined by Tyler Herro.
For a trade to happen, Miami has to match Antetokounmpo’s $58.5 million salary next season. Herro ($33 million) and emerging players Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($5.9 million), Kel’el Ware ($4.7 million), and Davion Mitchell ($12.4 million) combine to meet the salary cap requirements for a deal.
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In Wright’s eyes, a Heat team relying on a star duo of Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo will have no shot to come out of the Eastern Conference. He suggested that Miami, coming off a disappointing 10th-place finish in the East (43-39), is only on the superstar forward’s list because the location is “dope.”
On the other hand, the FS1 analyst said it would be “awesome for everyone involved” if the Bucks send Antetokounmpo to Boston. Wright foresees a partnership between the 31-year-old and Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum being the best in the East on paper.
A potential Bucks-Celtics deal for Antetokounmpo will most likely involve Jaylen Brown. The 2024 NBA Finals MVP is two years younger than the “Greek Freak,” and his $57.1 million contract next season is within range of Antetokounmpo’s salary. Boston’s other option is to trade Tatum ($58.5 million), but Wright considers him “untouchable.”
Antetokounmpo has repeatedly stressed that his main priority is winning another title. If he has to choose between steering his way to Beantown or South Beach, joining the Celtics, who are just two years removed from their last championship, may be the right call.