The Boston Celtics didn't play the lottery this season, but it was in their best interest to pay attention to the still-technically-hypothetical Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. Lady Luck did not shine on the Atlanta Hawks or the Milwaukee Bucks, opening the gates for a blockbuster trade to send Antetokounmpo to the Celtics.
The odds weren't high that the Bucks or the Hawks would move up in the lottery, but they were still, at minimum, legitimate. However, Milwaukee was awarded the 10th overall pick (they should feel fortunate that New Orleans was as bad as they were) while Atlanta was awarded the eighth overall pick.
If the Hawks had moved up, or if both teams had moved up, then that would have changed the equation, as Atlanta may have been more than happy to keep a high lottery pick they could develop, and if both had moved up, Milwaukee could have dangled that pick for more help for Antetokounmpo.
But because neither happened, that gives the Boston an edge in their Giannis pursuit, as it could make a previous prior proposed trade form into fruition.
A three-way trade between Celtics, Bucks, & Hawks is now more plausible
Last week, a proposed trade between Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta would make Giannis a Celtic, Jaylen Brown a Hawk, and a bunch of draft assets and expendable players on contracts belong to the Bucks.
If and when the Bucks trade Antetokonmpo, they would likely want a rebuilding package. Atlanta also has some of Milwaukee's assets that they may be willing to dangle if it gets them someone like Brown, a win-now star who would join a playoff team.
A situation like this always comes down to same question: why wouldn't Atlanta go right for Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP who's still in his prime, instead of Brown? The answer is it will all depend on what Giannis wants.
Last we heard, he wants to be in the East and wants to play for a contender. The Celtics have had some playoff struggles over the last few years, but Jayson Tatum's playoff resume is actually more impressive than Antetokounmpo's. Oh, and from the horse's mouth, he has a lot of respect for Joe Mazzulla.
Reading the tea leaves, it doesn't sound like he would take much issue with joining Boston if the chance shows itself. With the Bucks at the point of desperation they are at now, they just might go for the best package offered to them this summer.
Because they waited too long, the offer above isn't a perfect one, but it might be the best they can hope for at this stage.
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