Last summer, Giannis reportedly had his eyes on just one team if things went sideways with the Milwaukee Bucks: the Knicks. That wasn’t speculation or fan-driven hype. That was a real, tangible preference tied to a bigger idea: playing in Madison Square Garden, competing on a massive stage, and potentially ending one of the NBA’s longest title droughts.
That’s the kind of leverage teams dream about. A high-profile player like Giannis wants to go to your team specifically (New York). However, the relationship between Giannis and the Bucks is no longer solid. Between injuries, internal tension about his availability, and a season that has spiraled off course, there’s real smoke now, not just rumors, but legitimate signs that something is off.
When a superstar becomes available in the NBA, the league doesn’t wait politely. It pounces. Enter the Boston Celtics. They might not have been the team Giannis circled last summer. They might not have the same narrative pull as New York. But they do have something arguably more dangerous: a ready-made championship infrastructure and interest in Giannis.
Yes, the Celtics have interest in Giannis, at least according to The Athletic's Sam Amick (subscription required). If Boston makes a genuine run at Giannis, it could be the Knicks' ultimate nightmare.
Celtics have interest in Milwaukee Bucks star
That’s what makes this such a problem for the Knicks. Because this isn’t just about preference anymore, it’s about opportunity for the Bucks and Antetokounmpo. Suppose Giannis looks around and sees a Boston roster that can immediately compete for a title; the calculus changes. The Knicks, despite their progress, are still trying to prove they belong in that top tier. Boston already lives there.
Suddenly, the question isn’t where Giannis wants to go. It’s where he has the best chance to win right now. That’s a much harder battle for New York to win, especially with the two powerhouse teams in the West who don't look like they are going anywhere anytime soon (Spurs and Thunder).
There’s also the uncomfortable truth about New York's depleted assets. The Knicks have already pushed chips to the center of the table in recent moves (Mikal Bridges and KAT), leaving them with less flexibility than some of their competitors. Meanwhile, teams across the league, including Boston, can piece together compelling offers rich with players and picks if Milwaukee decides to listen.
That matters more than fans want to admit, because even if Giannis prefers New York, the Bucks don’t have to cooperate. That’s how nightmare scenarios are born. If you’re the Knicks, this is exactly what you feared all along. Not that Giannis would leave Milwaukee, but that when he finally does, it won’t be on your terms. It’ll be on someone else’s. And if that someone else is Boston? That’s not just a missed opportunity. That’s a disaster.