The idea of Giannis Antetokounmpo in a Celtics uniform sounds like a dream for Boston fans — but according to one prominent insider, that dream is likely staying in fantasyland. Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, speaking on NBC Sports Boston, threw a heavy dose of reality on the speculation, essentially telling fans to pump the brakes.
“I don’t think he’s going to be a Celtic,” Washburn said bluntly.
Washburn’s comments cut against the grain of recent buzz that has linked the two-time MVP to Boston. The Celtics, he suggested, are doing their due diligence — not making aggressive moves. The real complication? Jaylen Brown. The 2024 NBA Finals MVP has been mentioned in trade chatter, and Washburn warned that even the rumor of Brown being moved could poison his mentality heading into a pivotal season.
“The Celtics are gauging what it would take to get Giannis to Boston and trying to figure out whether they want to move Jaylen Brown,” Washburn explained. “And if there’s rumors that Jaylen has been moved and hears that all summer, what kind of mentality will he have coming into next season?”
Miami Still the Frontrunner, But Boston Isn’t Out
While Washburn downplayed Boston’s chances, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst added that Antetokounmpo has expressed willingness to extend his contract in Boston if traded there. Windhorst reported on NBA Today that Miami remains the team to beat, but Boston is lurking because Giannis is open to the move.
“Obviously Miami and the Bucks have been in talks on and off for months about this,” Windhorst said. “They haven’t been able to consummate a deal. Giannis has expressed an interest in extending his contract in Miami, which is why Miami has been so interested in doing it. But Boston is also out there because Giannis from what I am told is willing to extend his contract in Boston.”
Still, Windhorst urged caution. He emphasized that the Celtics have not made a firm offer and likely won’t rush into anything. “I think the Celtics are gonna be very, very cautious with making any firm offer,” he said.
The Stumbling Blocks That Could Kill a Deal
Windhorst expanded on the obstacles in a report for ESPN, identifying three major hurdles. First, Boston is uneasy with the level of player and agent involvement that has characterized the Antetokounmpo trade process. Second, the Celtics are hesitant to break up the Brown-Jayson Tatum partnership — a duo that just delivered a championship. Third, adding Giannis would force significant adjustments to Boston’s style of play, a risk the front office may not be willing to take.
“Could you acquire Giannis without sacrificing Jaylen?” Washburn asked. “That would be a big question. What is Milwaukee looking for? Who’s the third team involved? Because there’s going to have to be a third team involved.”
Any trade would likely require a third or even fourth team to help Milwaukee maximize its return, adding layers of complexity that make a deal far from straightforward. For now, Antetokounmpo remains a Buck, and while the intrigue between him and Boston is real, the path to a trade looks increasingly narrow.
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