Trade whispers between the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics have quickly intensified, with NBA insider Marc Stein reporting that the two teams could complete a Giannis Antetokounmpo deal with no other team involved. One asset that would undoubtedly come to Milwaukee in that deal is the 27th pick in this draft, which the Bucks could use to draft Meleek Thomas, who is already on their radar.
That's not a coincidence.
UPDATE: One league source, after my story published, told @TheSteinLine that the Celtics emerged from the weekend “with a real shot” to win this race with a Jaylen Brown-centric offer … adding that Milwaukee has considered going ahead even without a third-team facilitator. https://t.co/aaeQ1agUKX
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2026
Bucks eyeing player they could snag with Boston's pick
Milwaukee currently has the 10th pick in this draft. Despite this, they have Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas on their pre-draft workout list, per HoopsHype. He is currently the 27th-ranked prospect in this class, so there is no shot the Bucks take him 10th overall. Do you know how they could get him, though? By drafting him with Boston's 27th pick.
Obviously, Thomas won't be the deciding factor in any Giannis deal. It will all come down to which of the rumored suitors can offer a better overall package. However, if Milwaukee values Jaylen Brown in any trade over Miami's assets and leans toward Boston's offer, the ability to draft Thomas, someone they are already eyeing, could make a move all the more enticing.
Thomas could help Bucks add guard depth
Milwaukee has been eyeing guards in this draft; that's no secret. HoopsHype's workout tracker says they have studied Darius Acuff Jr., Mikel Brown Jr., Labaron Philon Jr., and Meleek Thomas leading up to the NBA Draft. Beefing up the backcourt would make plenty of sense, given that Ryan Rollins is the lone ball-handler under contract, and Thomas could help the cause.
During his lone season at Arkansas, Thomas averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals. While most of the spotlight was on Acuff, his teammate, Thomas played his role incredibly well. He fits the type of profile the Bucks love at the guard spot, serving as a combo guard who can play on and off the ball, shoot it well, and jump passing lanes. He'd fit right in.
Further backing up that idea is his build. The guard stands at 6-foot-5, 185 lbs. Like Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr., Thomas is a taller, well-built guard, allowing him to switch between matchups on the defensive end and take advantage of smaller players on the other. Unless you are Jalen Brunson, the small guard archetype is going extinct in the modern NBA. Thomas is far from that.
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