For the first time throughout this “will they, won’t they?” saga between the Boston Celtics and Giannis Antetokounmpo, fans have gotten the first hint of how the Celtics are viewing the situation.
It just may not be the update that they were looking for, or one that gives any hint about the future at all. Antetokounmpo’s contract is set to expire at the end of next season, so he’ll have a large say in where he ends up. Because of this, he’ll almost certainly be involved during the trade negotiation process, to some extent, at least indicating whether or not he’d be open to an extension in Boston or any other destination.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Cs are a team that Giannis would be interested in sticking with.
“The Boston Celtics are also on Antetokounmpo's list,” Windhorst wrote Tuesday. “He'd be willing to extend his contract if he were traded there too, league sources say. The Celtics typically don't get involved in situations in which they have to be involved with player agents alongside the teams.”
The Celtics apparently haven’t loved how much involvement Antetokounmpo and his camp are reportedly looking for in this process.
“The Celtics aren’t particularly thrilled with how involved Giannis or his camp would like to be during said discussions.”
Interesting tidbit from @WindhorstESPN's latest:
— Sam LaFrance (@SamLaFranceNBA) June 16, 2026
Sounds like the #Celtics aren't loving Giannis's attempted involvement in these trade discussions pic.twitter.com/K3gQmgfoVQ
The Celtics must be careful, especially if Jaylen Brown is involved
It makes sense, right?
As Windhorst notes in his offseason primer, and as we already know, Boston typically doesn’t let things like out when they’re making moves. Most times, you hear next to nothing about whatever trade or signing they’re in on before it happens.
The amount of intel that’s been put out over the past week is probably more than what’s leaked over the past few seasons.
As far as they’re concerned, adding more parties into negotiations increases the likelihood of leaks and rumors. Considering that any successful trade for Giannis would almost certainly cost them Jaylen Brown, Boston is wise to watch their step.
If it gets out that Brown is being offered and for some reason the deal falls through, then the Cs are going to be left with a scorned superstar. They should want no part of that. Antetokounmpo’s exit from Milwaukee is a prime example of how much leverage a team can lose when a star wants out.
Imagine Boston having to take pennies on the dollar for Brown -- a franchise pillar for the last decade and Finals MVP in 2024 -- because they mishandled the situation by publicly dangling him as trade bait.
That's not a reality any fan should be interested in.
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