Lately, there hasn't been much intel indicating that the Boston Celtics want Giannis Antetokounmpo. In fact, it's been the opposite, but there has been intel indicating he wants them. Now, whether this means Giannis will become a Celtic remains up in the air, but it's good news because someone with his rep wanting to join Boston could inspire players of a similar caliber to want the same.
The Athletic's Sam Amick and Eric Nehm revealed that though Antetokounmpo has interesting in joining South Beach, he also has interest in coming to Beantown because the Celtics' situation is better.
"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. And again, Antetokounmpo’s focus on getting back to title contention should not be overlooked," Amick and Nehm wrote.
Boston may be a little hesitant to trade for Antetokounmpo, perhaps because it would be a massive overreaction to what happened during this postseason, plus the New York Knicks' dominance is further evidence of how wide open the East is at the moment.
But his interest in becoming a Celtic is a big deal regardless of whether it will happen or not because it's proof that what Boston is doing is getting the attention of one of the biggest basketball stars in the entire world.
And if someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo likes what Boston is doing, that could convince other stars to feel the same way about their culture.
Boston was a marquee destination for free agents not too long ago
It started a decade ago, but the Celtics were once upon a time a hotspot for star free agents. It started with Al Horford, then continued with Gordon Hayward, and two years after that, they got Kemba Walker.
Those weren't necessarily the best NBA players - they certainly weren't on Giannis' level - but getting them was still a big deal because it was Boston signaling that they wanted to build a title contender. If it's happened before, it can happen again. It may all just be a matter of when.
It's been suggested that Boston's best course of action may be to stay under the tax so that they can be big spenders in 2027. If they do that, and if they have a demonstrably better season in 2027, maybe a netting a Giannis-esque won't be out of the question next summer.
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