As the NBA world awaits a Giannis Antetokounmpo resolution, the Boston Celtics are sitting at the beginning of a critical offseason. As much success as they found while winning 56 regular-season games, president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, left no doubt afterward that his team, which bowed out of the playoffs in the first round, needs significant improvement. He will face franchise-altering decisions this summer as he aims to push the Celtics back into position to win a title.With the draft one week away, Stevens and his front office have a lot to sift through as they determine the right path forward.The next big NBA domino to fall could be Antetokounmpo’s situation. Though acquiring the Bucks superstar without giving up Jaylen Brown would be possible in theory, the Celtics, considered one of the threats to land Antetokounmpo, would, in all likelihood, need to move Brown in such a trade. What could determine whether they land Antetokounmpo is how much else they would be willing to part with.The Celtics would need to include draft capital in an Antetokounmpo deal. But which first-round picks would they put on the table? If they were to land Antetokounmpo, the more valuable Boston first-rounders would be the ones further into the future because Boston would be built with the short-term in mind. So, it’s not just a question of how many picks the Celtics would be willing to surrender, but which ones?The 3 teams that should trade for GiannisEsfandiar BaraheniThe Boston front office could have some reservations about attaching more players, such as promising 20-year-old Hugo González, to sweeten the deal. As tempting as it would be to acquire a two-time MVP like Antetokounmpo, the reality is that trading for 30-something superstars has proven to come with significant risk.Unlike some other teams linked to Antetokounmpo, the Celtics wouldn’t need to gut much of their roster depth to pursue him, though Brown wouldn’t be a small loss. It could also empower them to know that Antetokounmpo seems to be intrigued by their situation. The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Eric Nehm have reported that the 10-time All-Star would be willing to sign a four-year, $275 million extension with Boston. Antetokounmpo raised some eyebrows in April when he shared the details of a conversation he had with Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, praising the coach’s mentality.Given Brown’s importance in Boston, Stevens will need to strike a delicate balance during any negotiations with Milwaukee. Brown has been through trade rumors before. He and the Celtics have always moved past them. Still, it could leave a scar if Brown hears about serious negotiations after they fall apart.
Is trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo the right path forward for Celtics?
How much of an overhaul will GM Brad Stevens give the Celtics this summer?












