Giannis Trade and the Draft Are Both Tomorrow (2026)

By Monday morning, the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes has two finalists, a confirmed deadline, and a ticking clock: Shams Charania reported on ESPN Sunday that a deal "will be coming before the NBA Draft tomorrow." 1 The Draft itself opens Tuesday night at 8 PM ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. 2 Two enormous NBA events are arriving in the same 24-hour window — and every other trade on the board is waiting on how Giannis lands before the pieces start moving.

Here's everything that happened June 15–22.

Giannis: Heat vs. Celtics, deal expected by tonight

The field is down to two. Minnesota made a final inquiry this week and was told Milwaukee's ask was higher than it was in the winter; the Timberwolves are out. 3 Portland "quieted down considerably." The Magic are staying put. What's left is a straight Heat-or-Celtics call that the Bucks have to make before the Draft picks begin.

Giannis Antetokounmpo battles Bam Adebayo at Kaseya Center, April 2025 — Giannis vs. Adebayo — the two franchises now competing for Giannis himself 4

The Celtics offer centers on Jaylen Brown (guard/forward, Boston Celtics). Brian Windhorst confirmed on ESPN's Get Up Monday morning: "The Boston Celtics have firmly put Jaylen Brown on the table and are going all-in on acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo." 3 Marc Stein reported Boston emerged from the weekend "with a real shot," and that a Brown-centric deal could include Hugo Gonzalez and the Celtics' No. 27 pick — notably without a third team, just a straight two-way swap. 5 Stein added: "If the Bucks indeed choose Boston's offer over Miami's, sources say now, Milwaukee ownership's insistence on getting a bonafide star (Jaylen Brown) back for Giannis would be among the deciding factors." 5

The Heat offer is richer in volume: Tyler Herro + Kel'el Ware + Jaime Jaquez Jr. + the No. 13 pick, with Marc Stein noting Miami is willing to add "potentially more players" and extra draft capital to close the gap. 3 A fallback three-team wrinkle has Tyler Herro routed to Detroit while the Pistons send players to Milwaukee to match salary. 6

Bucks internal split: Jake Fischer reported the Milwaukee front office is divided — one faction wants Brown's star power (rebuild-with-a-star), the other wants Herro plus picks (clean rebuild). 1 Kalshi prediction markets as of Sunday morning put the Heat at 69%, the Celtics at 23%, and "stays in Milwaukee" at 8%. 7

Giannis's preferences: Barry Jackson (Miami Herald) reported Sunday that people close to Giannis say he "would love to be in Miami" but "would be OK with Boston too." At least one Western Conference team was told directly that Giannis would not extend there, which ended that team's pursuit. 8 His contract: $58.5M owed in 2026–27 with a $62.8M player option for 2027–28. He becomes eligible for a four-year, $275M extension on October 1. Any team receiving him in a trade has to wait six months before offering that deal.

Shams on the structure: There is currently "no third team, fourth team in any construct right now" — the talks are pure two-way. 1 That said, Charania noted the deal could expand to involve additional teams once a primary framework is agreed, similar to how the Kevin Durant trade ballooned from two teams to seven.

Zach Lowe pushed back on the Heat's reasoning Sunday on The Bill Simmons Podcast: "If we do this and all our first-round picks are out the door, and Jakučionis is out the door, and all our young guys are out the door, what is it going to amount to?" 9 Simmons was blunter: "You're getting a guy that hasn't made even the conference finals in five years, who has had trouble staying healthy. He's 31, 32 years old, and you're banking that he's gonna completely change your playoff destiny. The more you put in the trade, the less likely that goes." 9

One confirmed Bucks roster move: Gary Harris (guard, Milwaukee Bucks) exercised his $3.8M player option for 2026–27, the first of six Milwaukee players to act. 10 The other five — Kevin Porter Jr. ($5.4M), Gary Trent Jr. ($3.9M), Taurean Prince ($3.8M), Jericho Sims ($2.8M team option), and Andre Jackson Jr. ($2.4M team option) — all face June 29 deadlines. Their decisions may hinge on which direction the Giannis trade falls.

Windhorst on Brown regardless: Even if Milwaukee picks the Heat package, Jaylen Brown is not staying in Boston. "I believe if the Bucks choose the Miami Heat offer, Jaylen Brown will get traded somewhere else… Jaylen Brown is accepting this and realizing it's a chance to turn the page and may be getting his own team." 8

2026 NBA Draft: Tuesday night, 8 PM ET, Brooklyn

Correction from last week: The Draft is June 23–24, not June 26. Also confirmed: the Bucks hold No. 10, not No. 7. The Kings hold No. 7. Both corrections matter for evaluating what Milwaukee receives in any Giannis trade.

Full first-round lottery order confirmed by ESPN and Yahoo Sports: 2 11

Pick	Team	Pick	Team
1	Washington Wizards	8	Atlanta Hawks (via NO)
2	Utah Jazz	9	Dallas Mavericks
3	Memphis Grizzlies	10	Milwaukee Bucks
4	Chicago Bulls	11	Golden State Warriors
5	LA Clippers (via IND)	12	OKC Thunder (via LAC)
6	Brooklyn Nets	13	Miami Heat
7	Sacramento Kings	14	Charlotte Hornets

No. 1 pick — Wizards: Dybantsa vs. Peterson, razor-thin

Washington has narrowed its choice to AJ Dybantsa (BYU, SF, freshman: 25.5 pts / 6.8 reb / 3.7 ast, 33.1% from three) and Darryn Peterson (Kansas, PG/SG, freshman: 20.2 pts / 4.2 reb / 1.6 ast, 38.2% from three). Jeremy Woo of ESPN — who personally ranks Peterson No. 1 in this class — nonetheless projects the Wizards select Dybantsa, writing "Dybantsa is still considered by rival teams to be the favorite" and that "the margin between the two players is viewed in the league as razor-thin." 12 Peterson visited Washington multiple times and expressed a preference for going first; Dybantsa visited both Washington and Utah.

The fit question for Washington: Trae Young is expected to re-sign on a large new deal (see below), and Dybantsa's wing development path would overlap with Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson. Peterson's shooting floors out the spacing concerns.

Darryn Peterson in Kansas No. 22 jersey pointing one finger at the camera — Darryn Peterson averaged 20.2 points on 38.2% from three at Kansas — Jeremy Woo's personal No. 1 prospect 12

No. 2 pick — Jazz: genuinely torn, possible smokescreen

Utah is "genuinely torn" on Dybantsa, Peterson, and Cameron Boozer (Duke, PF, freshman: 22.5 pts / 10.2 reb / 4.1 ast, 55.6% FG / 39.1% 3P — Naismith, Wooden, and AP Player of the Year), per Tony Jones of The Athletic. 13 Peterson declined to work out for Utah, but the Jazz have said that won't disqualify him — last year they drafted Ace Bailey without a workout. Calvin Barrett of SLC Dunk argues Utah is running a Boozer smokescreen: "the Utah Jazz have employed a smoke screen strategy, and they're using Cameron Boozer to make this happen." 14 Carlos Boozer, Cameron's father, is a member of the Jazz front office, which has kept his son in the conversation.

Cameron Boozer at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine in blue NBA Draft Combine gear — Cameron Boozer at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine — Naismith, Wooden, and AP Player of the Year at Duke 11

John Hollinger of The Athletic — who has Boozer ranked No. 1 in the class — wrote: "The reason you take him No. 1 anyway is that Boozer was basically 'college basketball Nikola Jokić' last season." 15

No. 3 — Memphis: likely Cameron Boozer (if Wizards take Dybantsa, Jazz take Peterson). The Grizzlies enter the Draft fully in rebuild mode after trading Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah in February and continuing to shop Ja Morant (more on that below). They also hold No. 16 (from Phoenix, via the JJJ deal) and No. 32. 16

Pick trades to watch:

Clippers at No. 5: Sam Quinn of CBS Sports called them "the most logical trade-down candidate in the lottery" — Darius Garland already covers the guard slot Clippers prospects would fill. 16
Mavericks (#9) and Thunder (#12+#17): Marc Stein reported the two teams have discussed swapping No. 9 for a package of No. 12 and No. 17. 3
Kings at No. 7: Sacramento reportedly wants to trade up to No. 5 to secure Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas, PG, 44.0% from three). 16
Thunder: Oklahoma City traded Aaron Wiggins (guard) to Atlanta for two second-round picks this week, cutting their projected luxury tax penalty from $213M to $152M and clearing a roster spot for Draft night maneuvers. 17

Trade rumors board (June 15–22)

Ja Morant — Pelicans lead, Kings and Wolves in mix (Imminent)

Sam Amick of The Athletic named the New Orleans Pelicans as the frontrunners to acquire Ja Morant (point guard, Memphis Grizzlies) from Memphis, with the Kings and Timberwolves also in pursuit. 18 Morant has told people he does not want to continue playing for the Grizzlies, per ESPN sources. Memphis wants the trade done before Tuesday's Draft. 19

Morant has two years and $87M remaining ($42.2M in 2026–27, $44.5M in 2027–28, then unrestricted free agency). He played 20 games in 2025–26 after a UCL tear and calf injury; across the past three seasons he has played 79 games total. Potential pieces in a deal: from Minnesota, Julius Randle + Terrence Shannon Jr. + Joan Beringer; from New Orleans, Jeremiah Fears or Dejounte Murray with picks. The Timberwolves are complicated by needing to handle Ayo Dosunmu's free agency and the Giannis market freezing their trade activity. 20

Jaren Jackson Jr. — already done (February deadline trade)

Confirmed: Memphis traded JJJ, John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr. to Utah at the February trade deadline. The Jazz sent Walter Clayton Jr. and a reported three additional first-round picks. 18 Clayton is averaging 5.7 assists in Memphis but has struggled shooting. Utah is using its new assets — including the No. 2 pick this week — to build around the next era.

Domantas Sabonis — Hornets framework stalled (Exploratory)

The Kings-Hornets framework remains active but stuck. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto confirmed the structure: Charlotte sends Miles Bridges ($22.8M expiring) + Josh Green + a first-round pick to Sacramento for Domantas Sabonis (center, Sacramento Kings). 21 The sticking point: Charlotte is resisting inclusion of either of its 2026 first-rounders (No. 14 and No. 18). Sacramento wants one. Sabonis has two years and $94.1M remaining and played just 19 games in 2025–26 after a meniscus procedure in November. Arvydas Sabonis said of his son's recovery: "He is already walking. He said everything is going according to plan. Maybe even better." 22

Isaiah Stewart — bracing for a trade (Imminent)

Jake Fischer reported that Isaiah Stewart (center, Detroit Pistons) is "not merely available but outright bracing for a trade that sends him elsewhere this summer." 23 The four teams with reported interest: Bucks, Celtics, Spurs, and Heat — all of which would use Stewart as part of the Giannis framework or as an independent acquisition. Stewart is 25 years old, under contract for two years at $30M (with a $15M team option for year two). In Detroit's first-round playoff exit to Orlando, he had 8 blocks in 17 minutes in Game 4.

Detroit's target in return is Tyler Herro: Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press wrote, "Herro directly addresses their need for shooting and ball-handling." 6 The Pistons would need to send Stewart plus one of Duncan Robinson or Caris LeVert to match Herro's $33M salary.

Aaron Gordon — interest strong, Nuggets holding (Exploratory)

Marc Stein reported that Aaron Gordon (forward, Denver Nuggets) is drawing "strong trade interest around the league." 24 Denver has been hesitant to engage on Gordon, preferring to move Cam Johnson (who is being explored in packages with the No. 26 pick for a top-20 return) or Christian Braun — though Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reports Braun "has generated no market whatsoever." 25 Gordon has three years and $103M remaining; his motivation to stay or go has not been reported directly.

Roster decisions

Player	Team	Action	Details
Trae Young	Washington Wizards	Declined $48.97M player option	Will become an unrestricted free agent June 23; Brian Windhorst: "He's going to re-sign with the Wizards, likely on a three-year, very large contract." Wizards GM Michael Winger called Young "the best free agent on the market." 26
D'Angelo Russell	Washington Wizards	Exercised $5.97M player option	Never reported to Washington after arriving in the Anthony Davis trade. GM Will Dawkins confirmed the no-show agreement: "He's not going to report as we try to figure out what's best for him and us." Trade for a late-round pick is expected soon. 27
Gary Harris	Milwaukee Bucks	Exercised $3.8M player option	31 years old; averaged 2.7 pts in 48 games this season, 41.2% from three 10
Aaron Wiggins	Atlanta Hawks (from OKC)	Traded	Thunder received two second-round picks; deal reduces OKC's projected luxury tax hit by ~$61M 17
Dusty May	Dallas Mavericks	Hired as head coach	May, 49, led Michigan to the 2026 NCAA championship (190-82 career record at FAU and Michigan). Replaces Jason Kidd, who was let go in May with $40M-plus remaining on his contract. 28 Jay Bilas: "I think Dusty May is a great coach and he'll be successful on any level of play he chooses." 28

James Harden — arraignment pushed to August 3

Harden's arraignment, originally scheduled for June 22, has been rescheduled to August 3, per Harris County court records. 29 He was arrested in Houston on June 13 on a misdemeanor charge of unlawfully carrying a weapon; he posted a $100 bond and hired prominent Texas criminal defense attorney Rusty Hardin. 30 The arrest has not changed the expectation that Harden will decline his $42M player option by June 29 and sign a new multi-year deal with Cleveland. He told reporters at the end of the season: "Definitely want to be here. I think we found something." 29

LeBron James — Lakers negotiating, Warriors waiting

LeBron James and the Lakers are "going back and forth" on a new deal, per Windhorst. 31 The league's expectation is he stays in Los Angeles — the Lakers hold his Bird rights and can offer far more than Golden State, which is capped at a $15.1M non-taxpayer mid-level exception. Windhorst: "I think LeBron's intention is to play, and I think the focus right now is making a deal with the Lakers." Anthony Slater of ESPN said Golden State's internal read "continues to point toward" LeBron remaining a Laker. 32 LeBron said in the spring he might wait until August to decide; the Lakers have a 14-day exclusive negotiating window before free agency opens July 1.

Knicks champion roster: Robinson, Shamet, and the second-apron wall

Mitchell Robinson (center, New York Knicks) is "very open" to returning, per Fischer, and Windhorst says the Knicks "are going to definitely try to keep him." 33 The obstacle: owner James Dolan declared at the championship parade on June 18 that the team will not cross the second apron. "We cannot go into the second apron," Dolan told WFAN. "You'd have to be suicidal to do that." 34 Bobby Marks estimates the team is roughly $13M below that threshold. Re-signing Robinson plus Landry Shamet — who shot 47.5% from three in 19 playoff games on a $2.29M veteran minimum deal and is now projected to command over $10M annually — would push them close. 35

Fantasy: buy / sell / hold

Player	Signal	Basis
Giannis Antetokounmpo	Sell Bucks, buy destination	Deal closes before tonight's Draft; value spikes wherever he lands. In redraft leagues, he's dead in Milwaukee — buy immediately in Heat or Celtics formats once confirmed. 1
Jaylen Brown	Monitor: trade incoming	Goes somewhere else regardless of Giannis outcome; value depends on landing spot and role. Hold until destination clarifies. 8
Tyler Herro	Sell Heat / Buy Pistons	Either goes to Detroit (Heat/Giannis deal) or stays in Miami as the centerpiece of a post-Giannis rebuild. Value changes dramatically by tonight. 6
Ja Morant	Hold (Pelicans owner)	Move expected before Draft; Pelicans frontrunner. If he lands in New Orleans alongside Zion Williamson, usage and volume should recover — at reduced health risk than Minnesota. 18
Trae Young	Hold / Buy Wizards	Declining option but re-signing long-term; Windhorst says 3-year "very large" deal. Paired with the No. 1 pick, a healthy Young in 2026–27 is a top-12 asset. 26
LeBron James	Hold Lakers	Internal signs point to Lakers re-sign within 14 days; Warriors option ($15.1M MLE) is a steep value cut for a player who made $52.6M this season. 31
James Harden	Hold with caution	Arraignment moved to August 3 — legal case unlikely to resolve before contract signing. Cavs deal still expected; hold but factor in the uncertainty premium on June 29 option decision. 29

Key dates

Date	Event
Tonight (Mon, June 22)	Giannis trade expected to close; watch Shams Charania / Woj / Stein
Tue, June 23, 8 PM ET	2026 NBA Draft Round 1, Barclays Center, Brooklyn (ABC/ESPN)
Wed, June 24	2026 NBA Draft Round 2 (ESPN)
Sun, June 29	Player option deadline: Harden ($42M), Marcus Smart ($5.39M), Porter Jr. ($5.4M), Trent Jr. ($3.9M), Prince ($3.8M), Sims ($2.8M), A. Jackson Jr. ($2.4M team option)
Tue, July 1, 6 PM ET	Free agency negotiating window opens
Sun, July 6, 12:01 PM ET	Players may sign new contracts

Cover image: Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Bam Adebayo (Kaseya Center, April 5, 2025) 4

Giannis Trade and the Draft Are Both Tomorrow