The reporting around a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade seems to change like the weather. By this point, we’ve heard almost every possible rumor imaginable, with Bill Simmons being the first to aggressively come out and say that the Celtics have definitively made an offer for the two-time MVP.
But there has been plenty of pushback with people coming out and saying that the Celtics and Bucks haven’t spoken, and that Jaylen Brown hasn’t been involved in any trade talks. It’s hard to imagine a world where all of these reports can be true, but it’s hard to decipher what’s what in this complex situation.
The Boston interest has seemed largely speculative, as if they’re lingering on the side, but don’t really want to get involved, perhaps even being used as leverage by Milwaukee to drive up the asking price for the one team that we know is all-in, the Heat.
Celtics are 'maintaining an ongoing conversation with Milwaukee'
But on Wednesday night, we got some concrete reporting as Jake Fischer revealed on Marc Stein’s Substack, that:
“Miami and Boston both stand as the two teams league personnel with knowledge of the situation describe as maintaining an ongoing conversation with Milwaukee on Antetokounmpo.”
This may not seem shocking or groundbreaking, but the idea that the Celtics are consistently having talks with the Bucks means they are pretty far in. That’s more than monitoring the situation. Combined with Bill’s report that they made an offer, it seems like the Cs are fully engaged and gaming the situation to make sure they are ready to get this deal done once it’s time.
Fischer also stated that Portland has backed off, which has “fueled the notion that Miami and Boston have little current company at the forefront of these sweepstakes.” So, if this report can be believed (and Fischer is legit), it sounds like the Celtics are fully in, and they understand the situation well. They know it’s them and the Heat, and they know that they have the best package to offer.
Celtics in a great position to land Giannis
They don’t want to keep upping their offer and bidding against themselves, but being this engaged in the situation certainly would suggest that the Celtics are fully in on Giannis, and they are prepared to push this thing past the finish line and get it done.
This doesn’t mean a deal is definitely going to get done, but it’s a pretty good sign. This is very solid reporting, and at this point, the whole world knows the scenario. It’s not like the Celtics are just having exploratory talks. By now, they should know exactly what the Heat has to offer, and exactly how to beat that offer.
Brad Stevens knows where things stand, and he knows what it’s going to take to finalize a trade. The fact that he’s in constant contact with the Bucks certainly suggests that he’s prepared to make it happen, and with the draft rapidly approaching, this could go down at any time.
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