Sports
‘Real Reason’ Boston Celtics Weren’t Able to Land Giannis Antetokounmpo
Late yesterday evening, the 22nd of June, we saw the news that the Milwaukee Bucks had officially traded their star man, Giannis Antetokounmpo. But the eventual destination has caught people by surprise.
The Greek power forward has been on the books at the Bucks since 2013, after beginning his career in Greece before making himself available for the 2013 NBA Draft, where he was selected 15th overall.
But after 13 years, Giannis has sought pastures new, and after rumours circulated that he would join Jayson Tatum at the Boston Celtics, he has instead been traded to the Miami Heat.
Why Antetokounmpo Was Traded to the Heat & Not the Celtics
Miami’s trade package was the best deal for the Bucks, and Shams Charania, who is ESPN’s NBA insider, has explained why it was difficult for the Boston Celtics to complete any deal for Antetokounmpo.
The offer on the table from Miami consisted of Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round selections, one swap option for 2030, and a second-round selection in 2033. This completely blew Boston out of the water, and they were unwilling to even attempt to match it.
Speaking on SportsCenter, Shams Charania reported that: “The Celtics were not willing to part with enough young players and assets to get a deal done.”
The Celtics offered Jaylen Brown and two unprotected first-round picks for the Greek superstar. But despite Brown being a player that interested the Bucks, the deal as a whole just wasn’t enough for Milwaukee to even acknowledge.
It has been reported that the Bucks would have entertained the trade had Boston added young player Hugo Gonzalez, or even Baylor Scheierman, as well as more trade options. However, the 2024 NBA champions were far away from what Milwaukee wanted and this allowed Miami to come in and get the deal done.
With Giannis turning 32 this year, and injuries becoming more and more recurring, Boston may have been savvy in protecting their youth. The Celtics deemed it more important to hold on to the likes of Brown, Gonzalez, and Scheierman — who are all in their 20s — than put all their eggs in one basket and hope an injury-plagued Antetokounmpo can bring them success.
11 Worst Trades in NBA History (Ranked)
Throughout the history of the NBA, there have been many trades that ended up being completely one-sided.
Miami have perhaps showed their hand too early in the deal for Giannis. Including four young players as well as a plethora of future trades for their top target completely blew Boston out of the water. With no competition for the Bucks power forward, the Heat could have potentially been more conservative in the deal.
Miami will be happy with their acquisition of such a huge name in Giannis, and Milwaukee themselves will be thrilled with what they managed to recoup for their star player, meaning the deal works for all parties involved.
Sports
Colby Covington Causes Stir With Reaction to Dustin Poirier’s Arrest
Former UFC fighter Colby Covington has given his two cents on the shocking news of Dustin Poirier’s Georgia arrest.
Poirier, who himself retired from MMA last July, was reportedly arrested in Georgia over the weekend for being drunk in public. The incident, which happened on Father’s Day, could lead to jail time for the former interim UFC lightweight champion.
The Diamond’s last fight came at UFC 318 last summer, facing off against Max Holloway for the infamous “BMF” title. Poirier would’ve backed himself in this fight, having defeated Holloway in their previous two bouts. But sadly for the Louisiana native, he couldn’t end his career with a title-clinching victory.
Is Poirier Struggling Post-UFC Retirement?
Poirier’s arrest was a shocking and unexpected story from the weekend, but it does seem that the lightweight legend is finding it difficult to acclimatise to life outside the Octagon.
The former UFC star made headlines last year in a social media post after he revealed that he felt like a part of him “had died” since stepping away from MMA permanently.
It is a problem that faces many retired athletes, as they try to discover a new purpose beyond the spotlight of their careers. Like many before him, Poirier has worked as an analyst since finishing his in-cage career. However, this new occupation doesn’t seem to be filling the void.
But if Poirier is struggling with retirement, trash talk from the likes of Colby Covington is unlikely to prove helpful.
What Did Colby Covington Say Following Dustin Poirier’s Arrest?
It seems that Covington is finding his own way to pass the time since also retiring from MMA. The welterweight hung up his gloves after his December 2024 loss to Joaquin Buckley, but the 38-year-old is still making jabs with his social media posts.
Following Poirier’s arrest, Covington was quick to kick the lightweight while he’s down.
“I just want to take a moment to have a toast to father of the year, Dustin Poirier,” began Covington. “Nothing says role model and family man like being arrested for public intoxication at 37 years old at 6.38pm on Father’s Day.
“Cheers to you, Dustin […] Hit me when you get out of the slammer.”
Poirier is yet to respond to Covington’s comments, but The Diamond has referenced his arrest in his own social media post.
“Love you all. I’m working on myself,” he posted via his Instagram story.
The news of Poirier’s arrest will no doubt prove shocking and concerning to fans of the popular MMA fighter, but knowing the difficulties he has faced post-retirement, and the anger that Covington’s comments will likely have caused, there’s always the possibility that this could lead to one last fight for both mixed martial artists.
From former training partners to enemies, a bout between the two retired fighters could prove to be an attractive prospect to the UFC brass.
Sports
Why Miami Heat Can’t Complete Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Until July
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the move, but despite a blockbuster trade deal with the Miami Heat, they will have to wait to complete the deal.
The trade was agreed on Monday evening, as the Bucks agreed on a deal which consisted of Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kasparas Jakucionis, as well as a plethora of future drafts and trades for the franchise icon Giannis, as well as the 31-year-old Bobby Portis.
However, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the deal is on hold for now.
Why Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Trade Will Be Delayed
Marks took to X to explain why this is the case, as he posted: “Because of the current first apron restrictions, the Giannis trade to Miami cannot be finalised until July 6.”
Essentially, what Marks is saying is that the various aprons in the salary cap limit have an effect on what can and cannot be done by teams when it comes to high salary totals. Teams have to be free of any restrictions caused by the salary cap first apron.
So, once the restrictions have been passed, the deal will be given the green light and should be completed.
Although these are just formalities, it still adds layers to one of the biggest trades in recent NBA history. Giannis has been at the Bucks for 13 years now, and is seen as one of the biggest names in the franchise.
How the 13th Draft Pick Will Now Work
However, one potential hiccup of this deal is that although the deal can’t go through until July, the Heat has sent the Bucks the number 13 overall pick, which will be made a couple of weeks before.
NBA: ‘Real Reason’ Why Boston Celtics Weren’t Able to Land Giannis Antetokounmpo Revealed
The race to sign Giannis Antetokounmpo is seemingly over, with the Miami Heat beating off the Boston Celtics.
This, in theory, means that a drafted player will be presented with a Miami Heat hat knowing that they will begin their career with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The way this works is that the Bucks will inform the Heat on who they want to take as their 13th pick. That player will then be drafted by Miami before immediately moving to Milwaukee once the deal is officially signed and sealed.
It all seems very complicated, but many parts of the NBA Draft do. But, unless something drastic happens, Giannis will be presented as a Miami Heat player, and the Bucks will welcome on board a number of young stars, including the 13th overall pick.
Antetokounmpo was heavily linked with a move to the Boston Celtics. However, they were unwilling to meet the Bucks’ terms, meaning Miami have managed to sweep in and get their hands on the superstar.
Sports
Leeds Now Open to Selling £40m Star as Contract Talks Stall
Leeds could be open to selling one of their key players in the summer transfer window, with contract talks stalling.
It could be a relatively exciting period for Leeds after comfortably securing their Premier League status last season.
It’s now an opportunity for Leeds to build on what Daniel Farke has produced, but they may need to show some ambition in the transfer market.
The Yorkshire club received a huge boost of late when it was confirmed that Ethan Ampadu has signed a new contract at Elland Road.
Leeds will now be hoping to keep hold of their remaining key players, although they won’t want to be held to ransom when it comes to contract talks.
Leeds Could Sell £40m Star
According to a report from Football Insider, Leeds will be open to selling defender Pascal Struijk in the summer transfer window if they add new centre-back signings.
Farke is keen to add new defenders in the summer transfer window, which could see Struijk head through the exit door.
A number of clubs have been linked with a move to sign Struijk in the summer transfer window, but Leeds had been looking to tie him down to a new contract.
Unfortunately for Leeds, contract talks have stalled recently, and he could look to leave the club in the near future.
Leeds would now be open to a sale, reportedly for a fee in the region of £40m, especially given his contract is set to expire next summer.
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Leeds Can Trust Their Recruitment
Leeds can afford to allow someone like Struijk to leave the club in the summer transfer window, knowing that their recruitment has been excellent in recent years.
The Yorkshire club enjoyed an impressive summer transfer window last year, helping them to build a squad capable of remaining in the Premier League.
If they can replicate some of the additions that they brought in back in 2025, they should have no problems allowing Struijk to depart.
If Leeds get their recruitment right, once again there is a real opportunity for them to climb into the top half of the Premier League table and start looking forward rather than over their shoulder.
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