Boston Celtics
Antetokounmpo also prefers to stay in the Eastern Conference, according to a league source.
Giannis Antetokounmpo could be on the move this offseason, and the Celtics would be positioned to acquire him. (Barry Chin/Globe Staff)
The NBA playoffs are still underway, but the biggest story of the offseason has already been defined: will the Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo, and if so, where?
If the former MVP is on the move, it looks like the Celtics will have a serious shot at landing him.
That’s because, according to a report from The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Antetokounmpo would like to be traded to a “true championship contender,” and also prefers to stay in the Eastern Conference.
“There were signs of interest at the February trade deadline,” Amick wrote of the Celtics’ interest in Antetokounmpo. “And it would stand to reason that the postseason finish only 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 feasibly balance the salary cap to make a trade for Antetokounmpo happen.
In terms of Eastern Conference contenders, the Pistons, 76ers, Knicks, Cavaliers, and Celtics all fit that bill. But of those teams, the 76ers and Knicks both have their big men established already. The Pistons only have one contract that could match Antetokounmpo’s (Cade Cunningham), so they wouldn’t make sense as a trade destination.
That leaves Cleveland and Boston. Both teams have a player that can help balance the salary of Antetokounmpo without removing itself from the “contenders” category by including that player in the trade. The Celtics have Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and the Cavaliers have Evan Mobley.
Antetokounmpo was very complimentary of Joe Mazzulla earlier this season as well, crediting him for how Boston stayed competitive while missing a lot from its championship roster of 2024.
“My decision is solely based on winning and culture,” Antetokounmpo said in April. “For example coach Joe Mazzulla, he had so many opportunities to make excuses this season, but just didn’t.”
So, Giannis certainly seems fond of the Celtics coach, and would be a nice contrast to Boston’s shot-heavy approach to the last two seasons.
Now, whether Boston would or should trade either Tatum or Brown this summer is debatable. But if the Celtics are interested, they have the easiest path to make an Antetokounmpo trade happen of any team in the NBA.
As far as timing for any Antetokounmpo trade, the NBA Draft lottery is on Sunday, determining the official value of each team’s pick. The draft itself starts June 23, and it’s possible a trade could get done before then if the Bucks want to cash in on 2026 first-round picks.
Antetokounmpo’s situation will be one for Celtics fans to monitor all summer until a decision is made.
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