The Boston Celtics wanted Giannis Antetokounmpo, the superstar forward from the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Miami Heat won that bidding war, though, and so the Celtics instead traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and draft picks.
Various speculation has surfaced about why the Celtics couldn't pull off the Giannis trade, but the most concrete report came out on Thursday, when ESPN's Shams Charania joined the Pat McAfee Show and spoke more in-depth about the deal.
Charania shared that the real reason the trade didn't happen wasn't anything to do with Antetokounmpo contract considerations.
Rather, the Celtics didn't want to trade Hugo Gonzalez or Baylor Scheierman.
Charania's exact quote:
"The breakdown with the Giannis, Boston conversations was very simple. The Celtics did not want to give up Hugo Gonzalez and/or Baylor Scheierman and another draft asset.”
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So for those keeping score at home, the preeminent NBA insider is saying that the only reason the Celtics didn't get Antetokounmpo was because they refused to give up Hugo Gonzalez or Baylor Scheierman.
Both of those guys are solid young players, yes. But to hold onto them and not get Giannis?
The offer that's known to have been made was Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks. The Heat ended up sending Milwaukee a lot more assets, so it makes sense that the Bucks were looking to bulk up a potential Celtics trade.
And apparently, Boston chose to hold onto two guys who aren't even sure things as long-term starters, let alone stars, rather than bring Giannis to town.
Maybe there's more to it than that. But if that's it -- wow, it's a choice.
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