As Sam Amick and Eric Nehm of The Athletic reported on Wednesday, the leading belief around the league is that if the Milwaukee Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo, it will be the Heat. It's an organization he's interested in playing for, but he's concerned about whether he'd be able to win a title there (subscription required). You know how he can avoid that doubt? A trade to the Celtics.
Boston considered an Antetokounmpo trade before the deadline, and though the Celtics reportedly haven't reached out to the Bucks about a deal since their season ended, it's still early.
As for Giannis and whether he'd want to be in Boston, Amick and Nehm made one thing clear:
While league sources have long maintained that he’s interested in joining the Heat, there are also indications that he’s very intrigued with the prospect of joining a Celtics team that, by any objective measure, is deeper and more dynamic than Miami’s and could thus remain more competitive after a blockbuster deal. And again, Antetokounmpo’s focus on getting back to title contention should not be overlooked.
Not only would Antetokounmpo have a greater chance of contending for a title with the Celtics, but the Bucks could get a better return package if Boston got involved. There wouldn't be much of a point for Milwaukee in acquiring Jaylen Brown, but his inclusion in a multi-team deal could result in them getting more than they could from the Heat (especially if the Trail Blazers get involved).
Bucks need Celtics to be interested in Giannis trade
The obvious difference between Boston and Miami is that we know the latter will be aggressive in its pursuit of Antetokounmpo. As The Stein Line reported earlier this week, the Heat and Trail Blazers are the two teams known to be actively pursuing him. The Celtics aren't on that list, and they may never be.
To get Antetokounmpo, Boston would have to give up Brown, and that might be a line that Brad Stevens isn't willing to cross. But there is a chance that the temptation to trade for Giannis could be too much for him to resist, even with his injury history. He is older than Jaylen, but just by two years.
After watching New York dominate in the playoffs and knowing what it'd entail to take down Victor Wembanyama if the Celtics were to meet the Spurs in the NBA Finals, the Celtics could roll the dice. We already know there is interest, but the question is whether it's enough for them to act this summer.
Giannis could contend for another championship in Boston
Antetokounmpo wants more than anything to win another title, and another, and another, etc. He's made that clear. As much as he'd love to do that in Milwaukee, he'd have a far better shot at doing that in Boston.
The Celtics finished as the No. 2 team in the East this season, and that was with Tatum missing the majority of the year. He wasn't at his best when he returned, either.
Boston is a well-run organization with one of the best coaches in the league, things that Giannis could value because he knows that translates to winning. He'd be in a better position with the Celtics than he would be with the Heat.
Yes, it wouldn't necessarily be enjoyable to see Antetokounmpo help Boston win another championship, but in the end, Milwaukee could be a winner, too. The Bucks can end up with a better package than they could if they agreed to a deal with the Heat, and what will matter most for them if Giannis does leave is setting themselves up as best they can for the future.
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