The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga appears to be nearing its climax, and the Boston Celtics and Jaylen Brown remain heavily involved in the discussion. If the rumors are true, the Chicago Bulls should consider acquiring Brown and making him the centerpiece of their rebuild — not the two top-15 picks they have in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Acquiring Brown would mean a dramatic shift in strategy for Bulls executive VP of basketball operations Bryson Graham, who has repeatedly stressed patience as he kicks off a long-term rebuild.
But constructing a roster around a legitimate superstar like Brown should be an intriguing proposition.
Bulls should consider trading for Jaylen Brown
An Antetokounmpo trade seems inevitable, and all indications are that it will happen before the draft kicks off tomorrow, June 23 at 7 p.m. CT. The Miami Heat have long been in the running to acquire the two-time MVP, but Boston has "a real shot" at Giannis as well, according to Marc Stein.
Stein adds that any Celtics deal would include Brown, and contrary to previous reports, the Bucks have "considered going ahead even without a third-team facilitator."
Should Miami ultimately make the winning bid with a package centered around Tyler Herro, there have been rumblings that the Bucks could consummate the trade and then find a suitor for Herro after. Milwaukee presumably prefers draft assets to a veteran on an expensive long-term contract.
That could be the Bulls' opening: If the Bucks do make a deal with Boston that involves Brown, Chicago could apply the Herro logic and offer Milwaukee a package centered around the No. 4 pick in this year's draft to reroute him to the Windy City.
Acquiring Jaylen Brown could be a risk worth taking for Bulls
Chicago once built a successful team around a talented two-way wing who played with a win-at-all-costs mentality.
Brown could be the Bulls' next Jimmy Butler.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN (h/t Bleacher Report) relayed some news from Brown's camp during a June 22 episode of First Take that should interest Graham:
""From what I understand, Jaylen Brown ... realizes this is a chance to turn the page in his career and that he may be getting his own team, which is something that he has thought about for some time.""ESPN's Brian Windhorst on Jaylen Brown
With Jayson Tatum out for most of last season, Brown proved he is indeed capable of leading a franchise. The 2023-24 NBA Finals MVP averaged a career-high 28.7 points, was named Second Team All-NBA and finished sixth in MVP voting.
Parting with the No. 4 pick in such a loaded draft class would mean losing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to land an organizational cornerstone. But passing on Brown would mean passing on an established 30-year-old superstar who would immediately make the Bulls competitive again.
Add us as a preferred source on Google