Celtics trade rumor could lead to massive deal with Bucks for Jayson Tatum's new co-star

y blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs, the Boston Celtics made their upcoming offseason much more complicated than anticipated.

The 18-time NBA champions could decide to shake up their roster in a monumental way by completing a superstar-centered trade to help give Jayson Tatum a new co-star and take a significant step toward regular contention in the Eastern Conference. 

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons thinks the Milwaukee Bucks could land on the opposite end of a blockbuster trade with the Celtics this summer.

“I think Giannis (Antetokounmpo) wants to go to Boston, and I’m not sure Boston wants Giannis," Simmons claimed. "I think that’s the push and pull right now.” 

“I think he wants to stay in the East. I think a certain guy on the Celtics has the same shooting coach as him. I think there’s a lot of respect for the organization. I just think that would be a team he would be interested in.”

Of course, acquiring Antetokounmpo would require the Celtics to trade Jaylen Brown, ending Brown’s partnership with Tatum in Boston after nine eventful seasons. To Simmons’ point, the Athletic’s Sam Amick reported that it’s ‘widely believed that Antetokounmpo would prefer to join an Eastern Conference contender on May. 9, making the Celtics a logical suitor for the two-time MVP.

While floor-spacing isn’t the name of the game for Antetokounmpo, he would provide Boston with an electric one move and go playmaker who’s difficult to contain when he gets two feet in the paint and has a motor unlike anyone else in the league. 

The NBA champion forward is also a menacing defender who can stick with lightning-quick guards on the perimeter and hold his own against big men in the low post. Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game with the Bucks this year, shooting 62.4% from the field in 36 contests (he dealt with injuries throughout the year).

It’s reasonable to assume Antetokounmpo-Celtics rumors will be a hot topic of discussion over the next few months.

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