With a surprise playoff push underway, Boston’s best upgrade might not be a star big man, but facilitating a league-altering trade to land Draymond Green.
The Boston Celtics could be the third team in a trade that sends Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Golden State Warriors
The script in Boston has been flipped. What was billed as a patient rebuild during Jayson Tatum’s Achilles recovery has instead become a surprise playoff push, with the Celtics sitting firmly in the Eastern Conference’s top tier. This unexpected success has created a complex dilemma: with a win-now window cracked open, how does President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens reinforce the roster without sacrificing the future?
The obvious answer—a star big man—seems out of reach. As the analysis notes, “Giannis Antetokounmpo, the biggest fish on the trade market, is not within reach.” Trading Jaylen Brown or an injured Tatum is unthinkable. But a new, more nuanced path has emerged, as reported by NBA insider Jake Fischer: the Celtics could become the crucial third team in a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, using their assets to acquire Draymond Green from the Golden State Warriors.
The Golden State-Milwaukee Framework
The hypothetical scenario begins with Golden State’s all-in pursuit of Giannis. According to Fischer, “The only player I think in the league that Golden State would be willing to move Draymond Green for is Giannis Antetokounmpo.” A potential Warriors offer would center on Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and draft capital.
However, the Bucks, in a full rebuild without Giannis, would have little use for the 35-year-old Green and his sizable contract. This is where Boston enters as the perfect facilitator.
Boston’s Role: The Anfernee Simons Solution
The Celtics hold the ideal trade piece to make this work: Anfernee Simons. As the player with the largest contract Boston is likely willing to move, Simons becomes the key. His representation by Klutch Sports (which also represents Green) adds a layer of potential synergy.
Here’s the potential three-team flow:
Golden State Warriors receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo (from MIL).
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Anfernee Simons (from BOS), Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and draft picks (from GSW).
Boston Celtics receive: Draymond Green (from GSW).
This structure gives Milwaukee the young talent and draft assets they’d crave in a rebuild, Golden State gets their superstar, and Boston acquires the exact type of veteran, defensive-minded, championship-tested leader their young, overachieving core lacks.
Why Draymond Green Fits the Celtics’ Need
While not the scoring big some fans crave, Green represents a targeted, high-impact upgrade. He would immediately become the team’s defensive quarterback, elite passer, and vocal leader—addressing intangible voids. Playing alongside All-NBA wings he respects in Brown and Tatum could rejuvenate his career for a final championship chase.
“It’s unclear if Antetokounmpo or Green will be on the move this offseason,” the analysis concludes, “but Boston makes a lot of sense as a third team.” For a Celtics team that has already defied expectations, this bold, indirect route might be the smartest way to transform from a pleasant surprise into a genuine title threat.