The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics are two teams looking into trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo that have very different trade offers. While Miami can offer a package that guts them of their depth, the Celtics can forge a deal around a single player. In an NBA where the theme is quickly becoming deep teams having the most success, that could spell trouble for Miami.
Celtics' depth would be solid after a trade
Giannis wants to contend. Per The Athletic's Sam Amick and Eric Nehm (subscription required), there is indeed interest in Boston on his end. They discuss how the Celtics are "deeper and more dynamic" and may be better positioned to compete after a trade, given what they would give up compared to a team like Miami.
Due to salary, the Celtics would give up Jaylen Brown, in all likelihood, who is incredibly close to the Greek Freak salary-wise. Brown may not appeal to Milwaukee directly, but they could flip him to any interested suitor for a boatload of picks. In the aftermath, they still have Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Luka Garza, and Amari Williams.
That goes without mentioning upcoming club options for Baylor Scheierman, Neemias Queta, and Jordan Walsh, which will almost certainly be accepted.
That's a decently deep squad coached by the reigning Coach of the Year Joe Mazzulla.
Miami would lose a good amount of depth
Down in South Beach, the Heat have made it clear that they'll gut their roster if that's what it takes to land Giannis Antetokounmpo. Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, every player on the roster, with the exception of Bam Adebayo, is available in a Giannis deal. With that in mind, the Bucks should look to acquire Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jamie Jaquez Jr., and Kasparas Jakucionis.
If Milwaukee gets their wish and acquires Giannis at that price, their depth would be gutted. Players left on the roster would be Adebayo, Davion Mitchell, Nikola Jovic, Dru Smith, and Myron Gardner. If they accept Pelle Larsson's option, he would stick. Miami doesn't have a big salary player like Brown who could keep the roster's depth intact. They'd be short-handed.
Obviously, the Heat would do more to fill out the roster, but Boston's group is more enticing, even with title-winner Erik Spoelstra coaching.
Everything will come down to what Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to do. If he thinks the Celtics will be a more appealing team post-trade, perhaps he will spurn Miami to land there. If he were to do so, all of their depth could very well be a reason why.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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