What the Celtics actually think about a potential trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo is anyone’s guess at this point. For almost a month, we’ve been hearing about how the player is interested, but the team is not. Then on Wednesday night, Bill Simmons shifted the narrative by backing off some of his earlier comments and saying that his intel suggests the Celtics may be involved after all.
So, do they want Giannis? Do they not? It’s very hard to tell, but one theory that Simmons stumbled upon makes a lot of sense. It’s clear to most observers that Boston could beat Miami’s trade package pretty easily if they actually want to, but if they don’t, Milwaukee may have little choice but to accept the Heat’s offer.
And if the Heat are essentially bidding against themselves, they can hold back. So perhaps the Celtics are hiding in the shadows to play a bit of chicken with Pat Riley and the Heat. Whether the Cs want to make a play for Giannis or not, they certainly don’t want to see him winning titles in Miami.
They might as well make that goal as difficult as possible, and even with this small level of interest leaking out, that could be enough to make the Heat sweat just enough to increase their deal. The Bucks want to drive up the price, and if he’s going to a team in the East, the Celtics should too.
Celtics should look to drive the price up for Miami
If they come off as a real threat, the Bucks will have a lot more leverage and can pressure the Heat to give up every asset they have to get this deal across the finish line. Even if the Celtics know deep down that there’s no chance they’ll part with Jaylen Brown and make this deal happen, as long as the intentions are communicated to Brown, they should drive up the price.
Give off the illusion of a bidding war until the Heat have put all their chips in the middle. As a Celtics fan, I can’t say I love the idea of the Greek Freak playing for the hated Heat, but if it’s going to happen, we want that team to be as weak as possible around him.
Making sure that they have to surrender every draft pick, prospect, and decent player on the roster outside of Bam Adebayo should be the goal for the Bucks, and if the Celtics don’t want Giannis for themselves, it should be their goal as well.
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