The Milwaukee Bucks could be shopping Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, and the Boston Celtics have been identified as a potential suitor.
On Monday, NBA insider Shams Charania revealed that the Bucks are expected to ask Antetokounmpo to sign an extension this summer, and "by all accounts," he will say no. With just one year remaining on his deal, the Bucks will really have no choice but to trade him in that case. Multiple insiders and experts have tabbed the Celtics as a team to watch for Antetokounmpo, and Charania also reported on Monday that the Celtics actually pursued him at this year's trade deadline.
If Antetokounmpo is available, every team in the league will have some level of interest. While the Celtics would make sense as a landing spot, Bleacher Report's Dan Favale predicted he would get traded to a different Eastern Conference team. Favale predicted Antetokounmpo would get traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets or Brooklyn Nets.
According to The Athletic's Sam Amick and Eric Nehm, Antetokounmpo does not have an interest in going west or playing for a non-contender. That significantly limits the teams that have a chance at acquiring him. While the Celtics certainly count as a contender, Favale does not see them acquiring the two-time MVP.
The Celtics do not need Antetokounmpo to compete for a championship. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have led them to two NBA Finals and have won one. They do not need to break the two up, which would seemingly have to happen to add Antetokounmpo, if they still believe in the duo's ability to work together.
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