Boston Celtics
Antetokounmpo also prefers to stay in the Eastern Conference, according to a league source.
Giannis Antetokounmpo could be on the move this season, and the Celtics would be in a position to acquire him. (Barry Chen/Globe Staff)
The NBA playoffs are still underway, but the biggest story of the offseason has already been decided: Will the Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo, and if so, where?
If the former MVP is on the move, it looks like the Celtics would have a serious shot at landing him.
That’s because, according to a report by Sam Amick of The Athletic, Antetokounmpo would like to be traded to a “true championship contender,” and would also prefer to stay in the Eastern Conference.
“There were signs of interest at the February trade deadline,” Amick said He wrote about the Celtics’ interest On Antetokounmpo. “And it would stand to reason that the end of the postseason increases the odds that the Celtics will consider anything and everything when it comes to star players.”
Very few teams actually fit that bill, and even fewer could match the salary cap to make a trade for Antetokounmpo.
As far as Eastern Conference contenders go, the Pistons, 76ers, Knicks, Cavaliers, and Celtics all fit that bill. But of those teams, the 76ers and Knicks both have big men who are already established. The Pistons only have one contract that could match Antetokounmpo’s (Cade Cunningham), so it wouldn’t make sense as a trade destination.
That leaves Cleveland and Boston. Both teams have a player who can help offset Antetokounmpo’s salary without removing himself from the “contenders” category by including that player in the deal. The Celtics have Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and the Cavaliers have Evan Mobley.
Antetokounmpo was very complimentary of Joe Mazzola earlier this season as well, crediting him with how Boston has remained competitive while losing much of its 2024 championship roster.
“My decision is based solely on winning and culture,” Antetokounmpo said in April. “Coach Joe Mazzola, for example, had a lot of opportunities to make excuses this season, but he didn’t.”
So, Giannis certainly seems smitten with the Celtics coach, and that would be a nice contrast to Boston’s aggressive style the past two seasons.
Now, whether or should Boston trade Tatum or Brown this summer is debatable. But if the Celtics are interested, they have the easier path to making an Antetokounmpo trade than any team in the NBA.
As for the timing of any trade for Antetokounmpo, the NBA Draft lottery is on Sunday, and determines the official value of each team’s pick. The draft itself begins on June 23, and a trade could be made before then if the Bucks want to cash in on their 2026 first-round picks.
Antetokounmpo’s status will be something Celtics fans will have to monitor throughout the summer until a decision is made.
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