Adding Giannis Antetokounmpo an agonizing decision for Celtics

So much about a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo addition for the Celtics feels like a slam dunk.

Antetokounmpo embodies Boston’s need for not only a center, but Brad Stevens’ offseason mission statement of finding more impact at the rim and more dunks.

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The Celtics need help at center, so why not acquire arguably the most impactful one at both ends in the entire league? There’s risk, but if there wasn’t, Boston would not be able to acquire one of the league’s best players. Period. At least not without gutting their roster. Yet the decision will still weigh heavily on the front office, and the entire fan base, as decision day nears on whether the Celtics will — or can — pull off their biggest trade ever.

That’s not an understatement. Despite a down and turbulent season where he only appeared in 36 games, Antetokounmpo just concluded a run of seven straight years where he finished top-four in MVP voting, including two wins, along with top-10 Defensive Player of the Year status. He scores close to 30 points just by showing up, reaches the free throw line 10 times every night and pressures the rim on basically ever possession. Antetokounmpo, like Kevin Garnett before him, would arrive in Boston squarely in his prime.

He’s the presence the Celtics need, and missed dearly, last season. It’s the kind of trade that could thrust them back into championship contention. And it’s an opportunity that almost never presents itself. The last former MVP to change teams was James Harden in 2021.

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The last former MVP and Defensive Player of the Year to do so? Garnett.

In 2007, the Celtics had finished one of their worst seasons ever. Garnett formed a Big Three with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, allowed for by a different salary cap and Boston’s draft standing. This time, trades effectively happen dollar-for-dollar, many of them star-for-star, and despite reports of the Celtics exploring how to execute a trade without him, they’re faced with parting ways with Finals MVP Jaylen Brown coming off a career season where he saved the team with Jayson Tatum injured.

That’s a completely…

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Publish date : 2026-06-21 19:50:00

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