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The pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is reaching a fever pitch, but the Boston Celtics hold a trump card that could completely flip the expected outcome on its head. While the rival Miami Heat have long been considered frontrunners, the Celtics have two potential assets that are reportedly enough to create some drama surrounding Giannis' future.
Several reports from league insiders have surfaced of late that point to Jaylen Brown's inclusion in a trade for Giannis as a key moving point for the Bucks. Although the Heat have a strong core group of players that they appear willing to part with (excluding Bam Adebayo), the Celtics, with an All-Star in Brown as a possible piece, could flip everything.
Even beyond that, NBA reporter Evan Sidery points out that the Celtics can acquire their draft picks from the Portland Trail Blazers, which could ultimately make them the favorite.
One noteworthy comment on the possibility of Antetokounmpo being traded to the Celtics came from Bill Simmons, who was initially iffy on whether Boston was interested in adding the Bucks star. However, on the latest podcast of The Bill Simmons Podcast, he changed his tune quite a bit, saying that the Celtics were "playing a little possum" and are in on Giannis.
"I thought Boston was out of this. I know Boston was out of this. I was wondering if they were playing possum or not," Simmons said. "I think they were playing a little possum. I think they're in on Giannis. I’m not recanting what I said before. I don’t know the reasons for it. Maybe they felt like Miami’s offer is an offer they could beat. Maybe they want to drive the price of Miami’s offer up and they don't actually have interest in him.”
Simmons went on to point out that Antetokounmpo wants to go to Boston, as it could give him the best chance to win a title. He floated the idea that the Celtics could use this chance to capitalize on their assets and "completely change what this team looks like."
While it sounds like everything is on the table regarding how the trade situation involving Antetokounmpo could play out, the latest from longtime NBA insider Jake Fischer points to a concerned front office in Miami.
“Rival teams, furthermore, continue to point to Boston's various assets as illustrating its ability to become a factor here," Fischer wrote. "They also note that Antetokounmpo shares a skills coach with Jayson Tatum (Drew Hanlen) and is believed to have a level of interest in landing with the Celtics on top of his well-chronicled affinity for Miami…This much is clear: Boston is believed to be a potential suitor that genuinely concerns Miami."
Obviously, the Heat should have concerns about a legitimate suitor stepping forward in the Giannis trade talks, but if it is the Celtics, that's close to a worst-case scenario for Pat Riley and company. Boston has the pieces to topple Miami's offer, and if Brown were included in a hypothetical deal, it could tip the scales in the Celtics' favor.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Celtics can flip Giannis Antetokounmpo trade with proposal Heat can't match
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Several reports from league insiders have surfaced of late that point to Jaylen Brown's inclusion in a trade for Giannis as a key moving point for the Bucks. Although the Heat have a strong core group of players that they appear willing to part with (excluding Bam Adebayo), the Celtics, with an All-Star in Brown as a possible piece, could flip everything.
Even beyond that, NBA reporter Evan Sidery points out that the Celtics can acquire their draft picks from the Portland Trail Blazers, which could ultimately make them the favorite.
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One noteworthy comment on the possibility of Antetokounmpo being traded to the Celtics came from Bill Simmons, who was initially iffy on whether Boston was interested in adding the Bucks star. However, on the latest podcast of The Bill Simmons Podcast, he changed his tune quite a bit, saying that the Celtics were "playing a little possum" and are in on Giannis.
"I thought Boston was out of this. I know Boston was out of this. I was wondering if they were playing possum or not," Simmons said. "I think they were playing a little possum. I think they're in on Giannis. I’m not recanting what I said before. I don’t know the reasons for it. Maybe they felt like Miami’s offer is an offer they could beat. Maybe they want to drive the price of Miami’s offer up and they don't actually have interest in him.”
Simmons went on to point out that Antetokounmpo wants to go to Boston, as it could give him the best chance to win a title. He floated the idea that the Celtics could use this chance to capitalize on their assets and "completely change what this team looks like."
While it sounds like everything is on the table regarding how the trade situation involving Antetokounmpo could play out, the latest from longtime NBA insider Jake Fischer points to a concerned front office in Miami.
“Rival teams, furthermore, continue to point to Boston's various assets as illustrating its ability to become a factor here," Fischer wrote. "They also note that Antetokounmpo shares a skills coach with Jayson Tatum (Drew Hanlen) and is believed to have a level of interest in landing with the Celtics on top of his well-chronicled affinity for Miami…This much is clear: Boston is believed to be a potential suitor that genuinely concerns Miami."
Obviously, the Heat should have concerns about a legitimate suitor stepping forward in the Giannis trade talks, but if it is the Celtics, that's close to a worst-case scenario for Pat Riley and company. Boston has the pieces to topple Miami's offer, and if Brown were included in a hypothetical deal, it could tip the scales in the Celtics' favor.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Celtics can flip Giannis Antetokounmpo trade with proposal Heat can't match
Continue reading...
