New Report Reveals Giannis Antetokounmpo's Interest Level In Joining Celtics

New Report Reveals Giannis Antetokounmpo's Interest Level In Joining Celtics originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Celtics could be looking to make a major move this offseason, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be the biggest name on the market.

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Many insiders expect Antetokounmpo to turn down an extension with the Milwaukee Bucks and essentially force the team to trade him. He has so much leverage that he can basically decide where he's dealt among suitors. The Boston Celtics reportedly tried acquiring him at the trade deadline, and are expected to pursue him again.

There are plenty of rumors about Antetokounmpo's interest in joining the Miami Heat, but The Athletic's Sam Amick and Eric Nehm reported that he is also "very intrigued" by the Celtics.

"And then there’s the question of how Antetokounmpo sees the Celtics situation," wrote The Athletic on Wednesday. "That might matter more than anything else. While league sources have long maintained that he’s interested in joining the Heat, there are also indications that he’s very intrigued with the prospect of joining a Celtics team that, by any objective measure, is deeper and more dynamic than Miami’s and could thus remain more competitive after a blockbuster deal. And again, Antetokounmpo’s focus on getting back to title contention should not be overlooked."

The Celtics would check plenty of boxes for Antetokounmpo. They are a contender, have another superstar to pair with him and are in the East. However, not only would Antetokounmpo give the Celtics another star, but he would fill a major need for them. After the season ended, Brad Stevens specifically called out the team's need to add in order to make a bigger impact at the rim.

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“My general feeling watching us play in really each of the last two playoffs — the second round against New York, even against Orlando in the first round (last year) — was we had a hard time generating really good looks on that first shot,” Stevens said in a press conference on May 6. “So we’ve got to figure out a way to do better in that, and I think that one of the things that we’ve got to figure out is how to have more of an impact at the rim. And I think we do need to add to our team to do that.”

Adding Antetokounmpo would mean moving Jaylen Brown, in all likelihood. However, reports suggest that the Bucks would want to move Brown along, meaning it may take a three-team deal to get Antetokounmpo in Boston.

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