Boston Celtics fans were surprised to learn yet again on Wednesday that the team was "known to be interested and discussed in league circles as potential suitors" for Giannis Antetokounmpo (subscription required), as Sam Amick of The Athletic reported. Later that day, Chris Haynes said what he'd heard: essentially, that there is nothing between the Celtics and the superstar.
Giannis is Giannis, but most fans hope that Boston isn't the team to win the trade sweepstakes this offseason. To make salaries match in a deal, they'd probably have to give up either Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown, and that alone should keep the front office from seriously considering a deal. It's not worth gutting depth and losing picks, either.
Chris Haynes on the Giannis to Boston rumors:
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) April 8, 2026
“I have not heard Boston being in the mix as far as a team Giannis might be interested in. Maybe that could change. I’ve just never heard that. I’ve known of some teams that are intriguing but I’ve never heard Boston mentioned”
(Via… pic.twitter.com/DMQQAGVHw7
Haynes seems to be pretty tapped when it comes to the happenings in Milwaukee, so you have to think that if Boston were interested at this point, he'd know. The fact that he hasn't heard anything at all is both telling and reassuring.
When it comes to a star at Antetokounmpo's level, it's normal for the other 29 teams in the league to think about what a trade could look like, but the Celtics don't have a reason to take it further than that.
What Boston has is too special to break up for a 31-year-old coming off a season full of injuries and in need of an extension, no matter how good he can be or how highly he speaks of Joe Mazzulla.
To be clear: Giannis is a top 5 player on the planet when he’s on the court.
— Jack Simone (@JackSimoneNBA) April 8, 2026
But the risk of him not being on the court is too high for a team that’s already a perennial title contender. Imo, obviously. https://t.co/meArbNFDwN
I love giannis as player and would love to have him on the celtics but not at the expense of the jays
— Zyair (@Zye_air) April 8, 2026
They're untouchable
Seeing how Giannis trade saga plays out will be interesting
None of this means that Boston doesn't have a reason to be invested in what happens to Antetokounmpo this offseason, as getting him out of the East is the preferable option. The thing is that the Celtics could unintentionally help lead him to the Knicks if they get revenge on New York for last year's second-round loss.
We know that Antetokounmpo was willing to go to the Knicks, and no other team, if a trade had happened before this season started. You have to think that NYC is still high on his list, but it should no longer be New York or nowhere.
Other teams that end up facing an early playoff exit and weren't interested in Giannis before the deadline could change their stance. The first team that comes to mind is Houston. The Rockets have won seven straight games, but four of those wins came against teams out of play-in range. They have the assets and young players to get a deal done if they so choose.
It'd be nice if he ended up in Houston over a place like New York, but on the flip side, trading for Giannis could be what dooms the Knicks once and for all.
There should be no shortage of entertainment from the Antetokounmpo trade saga this offseason, giving Boston fans something to keep up with after what's looking more and more like another championship season.