Boston Celtics
“Antetokounmpo’s focus on getting back to title contention should not be overlooked.”
Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo warming up before a game in March, 2026. AP Photo/Aaron Gash
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There could be a new suitor in play for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Bucks star’s interest in the Celtics could factor into where he ends up according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick.
Oklahoma City’s loss to the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals may have exposed some “problems that Antetokounmpo is uniquely positioned to help solve,” Amick wrote, noting Victor Wembanyama’s success in his matchup against Thunder forward Chet Holmgren. The Thunder also have a plenty of draft capital to offer in a potential Antetokounmpo deal.
But, the Celtics have emerged as a potential “wild card” to land Antetokounmpo, Amick wrote. The Celtics won a title in 2024 two years ago. They still have a competitive core in place and the reigning NBA Coach of the Year who drew praise from Antetokounmpo earlier this year.
Boston was the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference this season before bowing out in the first round against Philadelphia.
Antetokounmpo’s desire to win could make the Celtics an attractive destination. Boston was one of four teams Amick focused on in his piece, along with Miami, Cleveland, and Orlando.
“While league sources have long maintained that he’s interested in joining the Heat, there are also indications that he’s very intrigued with the prospect of joining a Celtics team that, by any objective measure, is deeper and more dynamic than Miami’s and could thus remain more competitive after a blockbuster deal,” wrote Amick.
“And again, Antetokounmpo’s focus on getting back to title contention should not be overlooked.”
Antetokounmpo does not have a no-trade clause, but his contract situation would likely cause teams who are pursuing him to take his opinion into consideration.
He has one year left on his current deal, followed by a player option for the 2028 season. The risk of giving up significant assets for a one-year rental could be real if Antetokounmpo is not happy where he ends up.
Longtime NBA reporter Steve Bulpett reported that there have been “no direct talks” between the Celtics and Bucks. He also said that it’s becoming “increasingly likely” that a deal could involve multiple teams if the Bucks decide to move Antetokounmpo at all.
However, the possibility remains that the Celtics might simply be staying quiet about their pursuit.
Jaylen Brown, who is coming off of what he called his “favorite” NBA season, finished sixth in the MVP voting.
Brown’s comments about how much he liked this season were broadcast via livestream on Twitch, and the optics were poor considering the Celtics’ early playoff exit and the fact that Brown spent most of the season playing without Jayson Tatum.
“However, the Celtics took measures, both publicly and privately, to insist that this storyline was overblown,” Amick wrote. “As such, any exploration of the Antetokounmpo possibility — if there is one this time around — would likely be discreet,” Amick wrote. “Still, the Bucks would be well served by fleshing out the Celtics’ possibilities.”
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said he’s expecting a decision on Antetokounmpo’s future with the franchise to be made ahead of the NBA Draft, which begins June 23rd.
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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