Latest Giannis intel suggests Celtics are trying to form new Big 3

We keep getting more and more intel suggesting the Boston Celtics are targeting Giannis Antetokounmpo. It would seem obvious that if they make a deal, Jaylen Brown would be involved, as Antetokounmpo would be an upgrade. However, it's come out that it's not a given that Brown is on the table.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst revealed that it's not known if Boston has dangled Brown in Giannis talks. In other words, if this goes through, there's a chance Boston will form a new Big 3.

Let the record show that yes, Boston can pull this off without trading Brown. They can trade Derrick White, Sam Hauser, and Payton Pritchard for Antetokounmpo, though some assets and young players would also likely be offered. If they were to do that, Boston suddenly has perhaps the best trio in the league with the Jays and Giannis.

That's a scary thought, and in case anyone doesn't remember, Boston got a title from that exact roster makeup when they assembled Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. However, that was 18 years ago. It's safe to say the league has changed since then.

Big 3s aren't as successful as they used to be

We've seen over the past few years that assembling a so-called "Big 3" isn't the foolproof strategy it used to be. When Boston did it back in 2007, they did it in an NBA where the talent was much more diluted. The Celtics took advantage of the fact that two of the league's best 12 players - Garnett and Allen - were on teams that weren't going anywhere.

There was a fair amount of skepticism, but it didn't take long for the three of them to prove they were right. However, the NBA has simply gotten more widespread talent, so it doesn't work like that anymore. We've seen teams like the Phoenix Suns try this strategy only for it to backfire because their three didn't mesh, and the roster proved top-heavy.

We've even seen the Celtics assemble phenomenal quartets after the Big 3, which also went wrong because all it took was one injury, and suddenly they were in trouble. The quartet of the Jays, Kemba Walker, and Gordon Hayward was fantastic, but injuries prevented them from reaching their potential.

Brown also just got a taste of what it's like to be a No. 1, and now he's going to relegated to a No. 3?! He might not be so happy about that, as he's patiently waited his turn and loved it once he got it.

Celtics fans aren't too keen on the idea of trading Brown period, but they'd also have valid reasons to believe pairing him, Jayson Tatum, and Giannis might not be the best move. Brad Stevens has shown that he knows what he's doing.

If there was a way for the Celtics to pull off this deal without including Brown nor their depth, that would be perfect, but sadly, Milwaukee's not going to make it that easy for them.

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