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Report: Celtics are ‘known to be interested’ in trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo
They are reportedly being discussed in league circles as 'potential suitors'
As Giannis Antetokounmpo’s situation plays out in Milwaukee, reports that the Celtics might pursue him have resurfaced.
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, the Celtics’ interest in trading for the Bucks superstar isn’t a secret.
The trade deadline has passed, and Antetokounmpo is under contract through 2028, but with the Bucks in disarray (11th in the Eastern Conference) there’s a chance Milwaukee could explore Antetokounmpo’s trade value this summer.
There’s a lot of time between now and then, and a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber is sure to get plenty of interest across the league.
The Celtics spent last summer restructuring their roster to get under the second luxury tax apron. But, with a battle-tested core and their star duo in their primes, who’s to say that the Celtics wouldn’t at least inquire about what it would take to bring Antetokounmpo to Boston?
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“Even the Celtics, who have the ‘Two Jays’ back now and look fully capable of winning it all, are known to be interested and discussed in league circles as potential suitors,” wrote Amick.
Last May, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said talk of Antetokounmp joining the Celtics was more interesting before Jayson Tatum’s injury than afterwards. Now, with Tatum having rejoined the team, there’s a chance things could be different.
The Celtics would have to figure out how to fit Antetokounmpo in financially. He is scheduled to make $58.4 million next season and he has a $62.7 million player option the following season.
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With Tatum and Jaylen Brown already on Supermax deals making north of $54 million annually next season, pairing the three of them would almost certainly put the team deep into the luxury tax. The trio would make more than the $165 million salary cap on their own.
With the last year of Antetokounmpo’s contract being a player option, there’s a chance that he could choose to become a free-agent after next season, which means the Celtics would have to either sign him to a contract extension or risk having him walk in free-agency.
Antetokounmpo will turn 32 in December. He has played in just 36 games this season and has been out since March 15th with a knee injury.
But, he is also a two-time MVP, a 10-time all-star, and an NBA champion. Opportunities to acquire a player of his caliber don’t come along every day.
The market for Antetokounmpo could be a competitive one depending on how things shake out with the Bucks.
It’s too early to tell just how involved the Celtics might be.
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