Just when it seemed like the Boston Celtics were out of the Giannis Antetokounmpo running, they are suddenly back in. On the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, the titular host said that Boston may have changed its tune about the Milwaukee Bucks forward after earlier reports indicated they were not interested.
"I thought Boston was out of this. I know Boston was out of this, and I was wondering if they were playing possum or not. I think they were playing a little possum. I think they're in on Giannis... I think Boston is not ruling out the idea."
If the Celtics are truly back in the running, the Milwaukee Bucks are all the more justified for holding off rather than giving in and taking the first good Giannis offer. They wanted to drag this out to see if they could drive the price to its highest point, and that's exactly what is currently happening.
Celtics suddenly back in, but is it real?
As Simmons went on to question, all of this could be a ploy. Everyone knows the Miami Heat are the top suitor for the Greek Freak. With a less-than-robust market, it would take a legitimate offer from a different suitor to change the trajectory here. Perhaps the Celtics are kicking the tires on a deal in an effort to drive up Giannis' price, forcing Miami to panic and send everything to outbid them.
There is also a scenario where Boston has legitimate interest themselves. Maybe Jaylen Brown's end-of-the-season comments rubbed people the wrong way. Maybe the Celtics think the Brown and Tatum pairing has run its course. If the market isn't as strong as it should be for a top-five player, maybe the Celtics suddenly feel like a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade is worth actually pursuing.
No one knows which side the Celtics are truly on, but the Heat can't let their foot off the gas here.
Both teams could present solid offers
Miami and Boston both have assets that would satisfy the Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat's offer would center around Kel'el Ware, Tyler Herro, other role players, and every pick they can trade. The Celtics can cough up their draft capital and re-route Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to another team to give the Bucks even more assets and potentially young players—Portland would help in that sense.
What it may come down to is which suitor Giannis Antetokounmpo himself prefers. Does he want to land in Miami, or is Boston his true desire, as Simmons hints at countless times? The Athletic's Sam Amick and Eric Nehm (subscription required) have reported that Giannis has concerns about what the Heat's roster could look like after trading the farm to get him. Perhaps that pushes him to Boston.
The truth will soon inevitably hit the surface.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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