NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo told Tania Ganguli of The New York Times that he will not sign an extension with the Milwaukee Bucks this year. The two-time MVP will become eligible for a contract extension with the Bucks in September. In the wake of Antetokounmpo’s comments, Nick Agneta of Celtics Blog wrote about how the Boston Celtics should be seen as a possible landing spot for The Greek Freak.
“So if Giannis becomes available, Boston has to be seen as a possible landing spot, right? They will have a star to offer in return, in Jaylen Brown, who could be moved elsewhere for a trove of high draft picks,” Agneta wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “The Celtics have a ton of their own moveable draft assets. They also have an ownership group that appears committed to spending big bucks in the future for a title and, of course, they have a culture and long history of contending and wanting to add not just one, but multiple championships. The C’s have another top 5-6 player in the league who hasn’t even entered his prime yet in Jayson Tatum as well as a core that fits Giannis’ playing timeline. If Giannis requests to be traded to a team, the Celtics make a ton of sense for him.”
The Bucks signed Antetokounmpo to a five-year, $228.2 million designated maximum contract extension in December 2020. The future Hall of Famer will make $45.6 million next season.
In 63 games for the Bucks last season, Antetokounmpo averaged 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists while shooting 55.3% from the floor, 27.5% from beyond the arc and 64.5% from the free-throw line. The seven-time All-Star recorded 46 double-doubles and six triple-doubles.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
The Bucks won 58 games last season and were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. However, Milwaukee lost to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games. Antetokounmpo hurt his back in Game 1 of the series and missed Games 2 and 3. He got injured just 10 minutes into Game 1 in Milwaukee.
The Bucks re-signed Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez this offseason in free agency. They also replaced head coach Mike Budenholzer with Adrian Griffin. Antetokounmpo and Middleton met with Griffin during the interview process.
One of the greatest players in NBA history, Antetokounmpo has career averages of 22.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He guided the Bucks to the 2021 championship over the Phoenix Suns, winning Finals MVP along the way.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
The Celtics signed Jaylen Brown to the richest contract in NBA history this summer. To acquire a talent like Antetokounmpo, Boston would have to part ways with Brown and several future draft picks.
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