Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors put Celtics at crossroads as Boston decides its next championship move
Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors put Celtics at crossroads as Boston decides its next championship move originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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With the offseason just a couple weeks away, the Boston Celtics have become one of the top teams to watch, as they could fundamentally change up their core.
The top change the Celtics could make is the most likely one, which is trading for NBA champion, two-time MVP, and all-around superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. On the other hand, they could go with someone entirely different, or just stick with the same team they have now.
Getting Giannis is still a possibility
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It has been reported by Jake Fischer that Antetokounmpo’s preferred landing spot is the Miami Heat, but the Celtics are a very close second. With that in mind, taking a superstar from perhaps your biggest rivals in the past two decades would be killing two birds with one stone.
Getting Antetokounmpo also would fully complete Mazzulla Ball, Boston’s style of play: shooting an insane amount of threes. Since teams know that’s Boston’s gameplan, all they have to do is lockdown the arc and win.
Antetokounmpo wouldn’t join in on that, but he would dominate the paint, as all defenders would be trying to stop the shooters. If they collapse, it’s an easy kickout for an open shot. It would be a perfect symbiotic relationship.
Having an alternative on deck is a must
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That being said, Boston has to remember they currently aren’t the top suitor. If so, they need an alternative to Antetokounmpo, if they really want to have a perfected version of Mazzulla Ball.
A guy like Sacramento Kings All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis could be great, as he is a three-time rebound champ, which would be great for second chance points on the inside, and for kickouts when available.
They could also go with an unexpected future alternative, and trade to acquire the No. 1 overall pick and get a Boston native in AJ Dybantsa, who would be the future after Tatum.
Staying with the status quo could be ok
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Finally, the Celtics might just say never mind, and stick with the core with a few role player adjustments. Reports have come out as well saying that Boston has not even signaled they’re open to trading Jaylen Brown, who would be a key factor in almost any blockbuster.
Overall, if the Celtics want to run back their roster, that’s fine. They would have a fully healthy Jayson Tatum, and retain 80% of the core they had on their 2024 super team. The road would be a bit harder, but it’s still possible.
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