NBA rumors: Brian Windhorst makes Jaylen Brown trade prediction after Celtics miss on Giannis

The Boston Celtics fell short in their pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes the aftermath could create a robust trade market for Jaylen Brown.

Speaking on Tuesday’s edition of Get Up, Windhorst suggested that Boston’s aggressive pursuit of Antetokounmpo may have changed the perception of Brown’s availability around the league.

“Boston is in a situation where they’ve put for the whole world out there, Jaylen Brown, their Finals MVP,” Windhorst said.

“They of course knew it was possible they were going to lose to Miami. They wanted to win, they made a very strong offer but they were not willing to put their entire team in. They were not willing to put other pieces in because on the other side of this trade, they have to have a team.”

According to reports, Boston’s offer for Antetokounmpo centered around Brown and two future first-round picks. Ultimately, the Bucks opted to send the two-time MVP to the Miami Heat, ending months of speculation linking Antetokounmpo to several contenders around the league.

While Boston failed to land its primary target, Windhorst believes the situation may have created new opportunities for rival teams interested in acquiring Brown.

“And so now, what I expect to happen is a bidding war for Jaylen Brown from other teams in the league,” Windhorst said.

"A bidding war for Jaylen Brown. In the most recent days, teams have been preparing for this eventuality… I think it'll take some time to play out, but if there is a draft pick involved, it could happen today."

—Brian Windhorst

(via @GetUpESPN)pic.twitter.com/wmSz0q69Da

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 23, 2026

“In the most recent days, teams have been preparing for this eventuality that it wouldn’t be the Boston Celtics who won the Giannis sweepstakes, there would be a Jaylen Brown market.”

Windhorst predicts bidding war for Jaylen Brown after Giannis pursuit ends

Brown remains one of the NBA’s most accomplished two-way wings. The 29-year-old is a five-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection and the 2024 NBA Finals MVP. Despite continued success alongside Jayson Tatum, his name has repeatedly surfaced in trade speculation whenever superstar players become available.

Windhorst indicated that developments involving Brown could come sooner rather than later.

“I think it’ll take some time to play out, but if there is a draft pick involved, it could happen today,” Windhorst said.

The Celtics now enter a pivotal offseason after a disappointing campaign that ended with a first-round playoff exit against the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston had reportedly viewed Antetokounmpo as a potential franchise-altering addition, but the organization ultimately fell short of Miami’s winning bid.

Whether the Celtics choose to actively explore Brown’s market remains unclear. However, Windhorst’s comments suggest rival teams are already preparing offers in the event Boston decides to continue reshaping its roster following its unsuccessful pursuit of Antetokounmpo.

With the 2026 NBA Draft set to begin Tuesday night, Brown’s future could quickly become one of the league’s most closely watched storylines. Windhorst’s prediction suggests Boston’s failed pursuit of Antetokounmpo may have only intensified interest in the former Finals MVP around the league.

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