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Giannis Antetokounmpo has become the center of growing trade speculation after reports that the Celtics were among the teams that pursued the Bucks superstar before the NBA trade deadline.

The possibility of Giannis Antetokounmpo leaving the Milwaukee Bucks is already sending shockwaves across the NBA.

Now, former champion and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins believes the Boston Celtics should make one of the boldest moves in franchise history to capitalize.

“If I’m the Boston Celtics, I’m picking up the phone,” Perkins said on ESPN’s NBA Today on Monday. “Who don’t want to see Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo together? They might have to give up Jaylen Brown, okay, but damn it, we’re about championships over here in Beantown.”

Perkins’ comments came shortly after ESPN insider Shams Charania reported the Bucks are officially “open for business” and fielding trade inquiries for Antetokounmpo ahead of the NBA Draft.

Celtics-Giannis Trade Rumors Intensify After Bucks Bombshell

According to Charania, Milwaukee is preparing for a pivotal stretch of conversations with Antetokounmpo after the two-time MVP informed the franchise months ago that he believes “it’s time to part ways.”

Charania also reported that the Celtics were among several teams — alongside the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers — that pursued Antetokounmpo before February’s trade deadline.

It remains unclear what Boston may have offered Milwaukee during those exploratory talks.

Still, the revelation immediately intensified speculation around the Celtics, who are once again facing questions about whether their current core can deliver another championship.

Perkins took the idea a step further by openly suggesting Brown could become the centerpiece of a blockbuster offer.

“I want to see that smoke,” Perkins said. “Brad Stevens, I don’t know if that video is real — he got a new haircut. That means he got a new vision. And I got a vision with them: Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo.”

Boston Has Draft Assets to Enter Giannis Sweepstakes

Unlike some cap-strapped contenders, Boston also possesses enough draft flexibility to emerge as a legitimate threat in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.

The Celtics control six first-round picks over the next seven years, including three tradeable first-rounders in 2027, 2031 and 2033, along with four available second-round picks.

Combined with high-level talent already on the roster, Boston has the type of assets capable of constructing a serious blockbuster offer if Milwaukee fully opens the door to Antetokounmpo trade talks this summer.

Still, any realistic deal for Giannis would almost certainly require the Celtics to part with Brown.

Jaylen Brown’s Celtics Future Under Growing Scrutiny

Brown’s future in Boston had already become a growing NBA storyline even before Perkins’ comments.

Following the Celtics’ shocking first-round playoff collapse against the Philadelphia 76ers, speculation intensified surrounding Brown’s long-term standing within the organization.

The Celtics blew a 3-1 series lead to Philadelphia, becoming just the 14th team in NBA history to lose a playoff series after holding that advantage.

Brown later made headlines during a Twitch stream appearance when he criticized officiating and accused Joel Embiid of flopping throughout the series.

Meanwhile, Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady suggested on his “Cousins” podcast that Brown’s frustrations with the organization “lie deeply within” the Celtics.

“I think part of him is like, ‘I showed you guys more of who I am as a basketball player,’” McGrady said.

McGrady walked back from his comments, but the Brown speculation stuck around.

Brown delivered arguably the best season of his career while Tatum recovered from Achilles surgery, averaging career highs of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists while leading Boston to 56 wins and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics also face added urgency because Brown becomes eligible in July for a two-year, $141.9 million contract extension, increasing pressure on the organization to quickly assess and address any frustrations that may exist internally.

Still, Celtics president Brad Stevens attempted to publicly quiet speculation this week.

“He has not expressed those frustrations to me,” Stevens said Wednesday. “Obviously I love JB. Everybody around here loves JB.”

Brown also addressed the simmering situation.

“First things first, lotta stuff swirling around the Celtics and our organization,” Brown said. “Hate that our president of basketball operations even had to respond to this. Me and Brad have a great relationship. I love Boston. If it was up to me, I’d play in Boston for the next 10 years. I’ll say it again: I hate that Brad even had to respond to this.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo Could Reshape Celtics’ Championship Window

Despite Stevens’ public support for Brown, rival executives expect Boston to at least explore the possibility of entering the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes again if the Bucks seriously engage in trade talks this summer.

A pairing of Tatum and Antetokounmpo would instantly create one of the NBA’s most dominant superstar duos and potentially reshape the balance of power in the Eastern Conference.

But acquiring Antetokounmpo would almost certainly require Boston to sacrifice part of its current foundation — beginning with Brown.

That reality underscores the massive stakes surrounding Milwaukee’s looming decision.

Antetokounmpo, 31, has spent all 13 NBA seasons with the Bucks and led the franchise to the 2021 championship.

Now, for the first time in years, the possibility of him wearing another uniform appears increasingly real.

And Perkins already knows exactly where he wants to see him next.