The NBA trade deadline is roughly three weeks away, and if you've been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen the chaos. The Eastern Conference is a mess. Specifically, the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics are suddenly locked in a weird, shared orbit of desperation and ambition.
While the Bucks are sitting at a rough 16-21, basically gasping for air at 11th in the East, the Celtics are holding onto third place with a 23-13 record. But don’t let that winning record fool you. Boston is terrified of their frontcourt depth, and Milwaukee is terrified of losing Giannis Antetokounmpo. This has led to some of the wildest bucks celtics trade rumors we’ve seen in years, ranging from "that makes sense" to "there is no way the math works."
The Myles Turner Connection: Is He the Missing Piece?
The biggest name linking these two rivals right now isn't a bench warmer. It’s Myles Turner. Honestly, it’s a weird situation because Turner is currently a Buck, but he’s arguably the most "Celtics-coded" player on the market.
Boston has been surviving on a patchwork big-man rotation. Neemias Queta and Luka Garza are giving it their all, but if you’re trying to stop a healthy Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic in June, that’s a tough sell. Turner provides two things the Celtics crave: elite rim protection and the ability to hit the three.
Here is what the actual chatter looks like:
- The Proposal: Boston sends Anfernee Simons, Josh Minott, a 2026 second-rounder, and a top-three protected 2031 first-rounder.
- The Return: Milwaukee sends Myles Turner to Boston.
For Milwaukee, this is a "reset" move. Turner hasn't quite gelled in their defensive system, and getting Simons back gives them a scoring punch on the wing they desperately need. For Boston, it’s about the "now." Jayson Tatum is recovering from an injury, and Jaylen Brown has been carrying a massive load. Adding a $25 million-a-year center like Turner stabilizes everything.
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The Jaren Jackson Jr. Pipe Dream
Then there's the Matt Moore report from Action Network. Apparently, the Celtics would "love" to trade for Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr.
We all would, right?
The reality is a lot grimmer than the rumor. The Celtics just spent the summer stripping their roster to get out of "second apron hell." Trading for JJJ, who is set to make $49 million next year, would be like a person in debt buying a yacht because they liked the color. Unless Brad Stevens decides to move Derrick White—which, let’s be real, he won’t—the math on a Jackson Jr. deal is basically impossible.
The Grizzlies are struggling, sure. But they aren't going to give away a Defensive Player of the Year candidate for pennies, and Boston doesn't have the nickels to spare right now.
Why the Bucks Are Smelling Like Sellers
Milwaukee is in a dark place. They have $20 million in "dead money" from the Damian Lillard era still haunting their books for the next four seasons. They don't control their own draft picks until 2031.
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Basically, they are stuck.
Giannis Antetokounmpo recently gave an 11-minute interview to Sam Amick where he said, "There will never be a chance... that I will come out and say, 'I want a trade.'" That sounds great for Bucks fans. But in the same breath, he compared his relationship with the team to a marriage where someone might just "wake up and fall out of love."
Because of that uncertainty, GM Jon Horst is being aggressive. They’ve been linked to:
- Zach LaVine: Rumors suggest a package of Bobby Portis, Kyle Kuzma, and Cole Anthony.
- Ja Morant: A high-risk, high-reward play that some insiders think is just smoke.
- Michael Porter Jr.: A potential three-team deal involving the Nets and Pistons.
The Tatum vs. Giannis Paradox
If you want to get into the truly "out there" bucks celtics trade rumors, look no further than the Reddit-fueled speculation of a Giannis-for-Tatum swap.
Is it happening? No.
Is it fascinating? Totally.
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Tatum is 27 and coming off an Achilles tear. Giannis is 31 and dealing with recurring calf issues. Some analysts argue that if the Bucks decide to blow it up, Tatum is the only player they’d accept in return. Conversely, some think Boston would take the gamble on Giannis to guarantee a title window with Jaylen Brown.
It’s a fun "What If" scenario, but GMs don't usually trade superstars to their direct rivals unless they want to be chased out of town by a mob.
What Actually Happens Next?
If you're tracking these rumors, don't expect a blockbuster between these two specific teams tomorrow. Usually, these "rivalry trades" end up being smaller moves. Keep an eye on the Jan. 15 trade restriction lift. That’s when players like Herb Jones become eligible to be moved, which could shift the entire board.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Salary Cap: Any trade Boston makes must involve matching Anfernee Simons' $27.7 million contract or aggregating smaller pieces. They can't just "absorb" a star.
- The "January 15" Rule: Expect a surge in actual trade calls this week as more players become eligible to be moved.
- Check the Standings: If Milwaukee drops five more games before the February 5 deadline, the "Myles Turner to Boston" rumors will turn into "Myles Turner to Boston" reality very quickly.
Keep your eyes on the injury reports. If Tatum’s recovery hits a snag, Boston’s urgency to add a big man like Turner or even Ivica Zubac will skyrocket. For the Bucks, every loss is another step closer to a total roster teardown.
Next Steps for You: Track the "DNP - Trade Pending" designations starting next week. If Myles Turner sits out a game for "rest," that’s your signal that the Bucks are finalizing a deal. You should also monitor the Grizzlies' injury report; if they continue to slide, the Jaren Jackson Jr. rumors might actually gain some financial legs closer to the summer.