Brian Windhorst's latest Giannis report reinforces what Celtics fans already know

As the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes unfolds, there is no need to rush to a conclusion about how it will end. There has been plenty of concrete reporting about this situation. However, none of it has pinned down whether the Boston Celtics are prepared to split up their franchise cornerstones, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Perhaps they're working on completing a three-team construct. For instance, they could send Brown to a franchise like the Los Angeles Clippers, who would supply the Milwaukee Bucks with the return necessary to end this saga.

It's also possible that rumors about Boston's interest in parting with the 2024 Finals MVP are off the mark. Brown just led his team through what began as a season of uncertainty and ended with the organization in stable positioning. Yes, even after an unceremonious first-round exit where they squandered a 3-1 series lead.

So, while it could be time for a change, what Celtics fans know after seeing Brown spend his entire career on the rumor mill is that there is no benefit in rushing to judgment about how this ends.

There are, however, some informational breadcrumbs that ESPN's Brian Windhorst recently reinforced.

The latest intel on the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes

In a recent appearance on SportsCenter, Windhorst conveyed the following, as the Miami Heat remain the only team not hiding their pursuit of the two-time MVP.

"I want to point out, Giannis still could remain with the Bucks," said Windhorst. "But there is a belief in the league he's going to get moved by next week's draft. The Miami Heat have been trying to get Giannis for months. They have been making offers to the Bucks for months. We have no deal. What we can take from that is the Bucks do not love what the Heat are offering, and they are out looking for other options. They have been looking for other options. The Celtics could get in there. We're gonna see how that plays out."

Bucks' co-owner, Jimmy Haslam, has publicly stated this matter will conclude by the NBA Draft. That starts next Tuesday, Jun. 23. Deadlines spur actions. That's why it's no surprise to hear Windhorst say in that clip that trade talks regarding Antetokounmpo have intensified in the last 7-10 days, and that there is momentum towards a deal.

The 10-time All-Star also has leverage in steering his way to a desired destination. He can opt out of his contract next summer. He's eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million extension with Milwaukee on Oct. 1. However, he'll likely soon have a new NBA home, meaning he'll have to wait six months from the transaction to ink that extension.

While he could put his thumb on the scale, forcing his way to a franchise like the Miami Heat, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, that isn't happening.

That makes sense, since it appears like Antetokounmpo would be happy with multiple potential landing spots, including Boston, with whom he'd seemingly be willing to sign an extension.

Unsatisfied with what the Heat are offering, a package that's probably along the lines of the No. 13 pick in this year's NBA Draft, along with future first-round selections, and some combination of Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis, Pelle Larsson, and Nikola Jović.

Along with some of those players being left out of the deal, should Miami get this across the finish line, Pat Riley may have to find multiple suitors for individuals like Herro and Ware. Ethan Skolnick of 5 Reasons Sports reports that the Bucks might not want either of those two individuals.

The two sides have been negotiating for months and don't have a deal yet. That's because the Heat have a very beatable offer. Milwaukee would love for someone to top it. As Windhorst states, that could be the Celtics. Again, it may not be.

The clock is ticking on the Bucks' self-imposed deadline. There's clarity on some fronts and pure speculation on others. Soon, there will be a resolution. Until then, there's no need to rush to a conclusion.

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