One eye-catching trade scenario that had been floating around NBA spaces lately involved sending Giannis Antetokounmpo to Boston, Jaylen Brown to the LA Clippers, and the fifth overall pick, among other things, to Milwaukee. While intriguing, NBA insider Jake Fischer shut down the idea during his latest Bleacher Report livestream, claiming that the Clippers would have no interest.
"I made calls on that, and I have been told that that is not true, that Los Angeles has not looked into any real avenue here at all. At this juncture, I have been told repeatedly that the Clippers have every intention to stick around the No. 5 pick and make a selection."
Bucks' ideal draft scenario is not happening
This idea was always a little far-fetched. Yes, Brown is a great player and would have aided LA's win-now desires, but one of the top picks in this excellent draft class could be worth more long-term.
The Milwaukee Bucks would have loved to have the fifth overall pick in this draft if they were to trade their franchise icon. Separately, Fischer reported that the Bucks are looking to stack first-rounders in this class and are even looking at options to net one above their own No. 10 selection. LA's fifth pick would have given them that, but the Clippers seem determined to keep it. Rightfully so.
If Milwaukee does move forward with trading Giannis to Miami, the Bucks will assuredly receive the Heat’s No. 13 pick along with other draft capital.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 12, 2026
League sources say Milwaukee is also calling rival teams in search of a third top-20 pick, and potentially another pick in the… https://t.co/Rnk5biAEE9
Milwaukee's desire to hoard picks makes sense, given how strong this class is, but it makes even more sense that they'd like to get a high pick. This class is loaded with backcourt help from picks five through ten, and the fifth pick would have given the Bucks an assortment of talent to choose from, especially in Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., and Darius Acuff Jr.
Instead, the Milwaukee Bucks will now have to look elsewhere as they field Giannis trade offers.
Heat remain in the lead for Giannis
The two teams jockeying for position in the Giannis trade race are the Celtics and Heat, with Miami in the lead. If Boston is serious about getting the forward, they need to find a suitor who would cough up a lot to land Brown, the former NBA Finals MVP, to reroute it to Milwaukee. The Clippers putting their pick on the table would likely have had Miami trembling, but it looks like they caught a break.
Until Boston finds another suitor loaded with desirable draft picks, the Heat will sit comfortably in the lead for the Greek Freak. Since February, they have had the best package in terms of overall players and picks on the table among legitimate suitors, and nothing has changed. There is still plenty of time for the tide to turn, but the Clippers look like they will sit this one out.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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