If the Door Opens for Giannis, the Celtic Might Kick It Down

If the Door Opens for Giannis, the Celtic Might Kick It Down

The Boston Celtics spent the last half-decade building the perfect contender. They didn’t tank. They didn’t panic. They played it smart. Draft picks, development, patience, and the right blend of aggression. Brad Stevens inherited a team with potential and sculpted it into a powerhouse. But now?

Now everything might be up in the air.

Because if Brian Windhorst is right—and his track record suggests he often is—the Celtics are on the shortlist of teams who would be seriously in play if Giannis Antetokounmpo ever hits the market.

Let that sink in: Giannis. A two-time MVP. A former Defensive Player of the Year. One of the five best players on the planet—arguably top three depending on the night. And Boston might be ready to make a call.

Why now? One word: Tatum.

Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury shifted the entire landscape. Before that, the Celtics looked like the team to beat. With Tatum and Jaylen Brown forming one of the league’s most dangerous wings duos, Kristaps Porzingis finally healthy, and Jrue Holiday fortifying their defense, Boston was right where it wanted to be. They were deep, battle-tested, and dominant.

But Achilles injuries aren’t just bumps in the road. They’re career-altering forks in the path. And even if Tatum makes a full recovery—and we all hope he does—you have to acknowledge the uncertainty. The future, once stable and secure, is now cloudy.

Which brings us back to Giannis.

He’s 30 years old. In his prime. Under contract, for now—but Milwaukee’s window may be closing. The Bucks flamed out again in the playoffs. Damian Lillard is aging, Khris Middleton has lost a step, and their once-elite defense has fallen apart. If Giannis starts looking around the league for his next chapter, Boston has to be ready.

And reportedly, they are.

Brad Stevens has never been afraid to pull the trigger. He shipped out Marcus Smart—a fan favorite and emotional heartbeat of the team—for the sake of fit and upside. He took a swing on Porzingis. He traded for Jrue Holiday days after Milwaukee scooped him up. The man plays chess. But this would be his boldest move yet.

Because to get Giannis, Boston would have to give up a lot.

Let’s be honest—Jaylen Brown is the centerpiece of any deal. The 2023 All-NBA wing is signed long-term on a supermax. He’s coming off the best season of his career. And he’s the second face of this franchise.

You’re also looking at draft picks—multiple first-rounders, pick swaps, maybe more. Possibly a key young player like Payton Pritchard or Sam Hauser to round it out.

And maybe most critically: you’d be giving up your identity.

For years, the Celtics’ story has been about growth. A homegrown core. Tatum and Brown developing into All-Stars. The culture of defense, sacrifice, and consistency. A team-first mentality. Trading for Giannis doesn’t just shake up the roster. It rewrites the story.

But maybe that’s the point.

Championships are rare. Windows are fragile. You don’t get many chances to trade for a generational superstar in his prime. Boston hasn’t had a player like Giannis since… Larry Bird? Kevin Garnett was older. Paul Pierce wasn’t quite on that tier. Giannis is the kind of player you do everything to acquire. You sell the farm. You take the risk.

Because if he comes to Boston—if Tatum recovers, or even if he doesn’t immediately—you have a top-five player who gives you a puncher’s chance every year. A superstar who plays both ends, who gets better under pressure, who could anchor your team for the next half-decade.

Of course, it’s not without risk. The fit with Tatum could take time. The chemistry wouldn’t be instant. And if Tatum’s Achilles limits him long-term, then suddenly you’ve bet it all on one star again. You’ve lost depth. You’ve lost Jaylen. You’ve bet the house.

But if you’re Boston, you have to ask: What’s the alternative?

Wait and hope Tatum bounces back 100%? Run it back with the same core while the East keeps getting better? Hope Milwaukee holds on to Giannis and the landscape doesn’t shift?

Or do you seize the moment?

Because that’s what this is: a moment. A crack in the door. A once-in-a-decade opportunity.

Windhorst doesn’t throw things out lightly. If he says Boston’s on the shortlist, it means conversations have been had. It means interest is real. It means the gears are already turning.

This doesn’t guarantee anything. Giannis could stay in Milwaukee. He could choose a team like Golden State or Miami. The Celtics could decide the price is too steep. But if there’s even a sliver of daylight? Don’t be surprised if Brad Stevens tries to kick the door off its hinges.

Because Giannis doesn’t come around twice.

And Boston knows better than anyone: banners hang forever.

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