The Boston Celtics, fresh off their 2024 championship run, are poised to keep shaking up the NBA landscape. With Brad Stevens at the helm, the mastermind general manager is never one to rest on his laurels. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White form a formidable core, but Stevens is likely to tinker with the roster to solidify Boston’s place atop the Eastern Conference. While the focus may be on building a deeper supporting cast, a blockbuster trade idea has surfaced that could redefine the Celtics’ future—and it involves none other than two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In a bold proposal by FanSided’s Matt Moore, the Celtics could pull off a trade that would send shockwaves through the league. Here’s how it breaks down:
Boston Celtics Get:
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Giannis Antetokounmpo
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Myles Turner
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Bobby Portis
Milwaukee Bucks Get:
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Jaylen Brown
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Anfernee Simons
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Sam Hauser
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Xavier Tillman
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Two first-round picks
Moore argues this deal would “instantly reorganize” Boston’s future. Pairing Giannis with Tatum and White creates a new big three that could dominate for years. “Giannis and Tatum aren’t a natural fit, but they can both pull so much gravitational help to open up shooters, and are so talented, you live with it,” Moore writes. “The Celtics instantly transition to an elite defensive team.” Imagine the havoc this trio could wreak: Giannis attacking the rim with reckless abandon, Tatum stretching the floor with his silky shooting, and White locking down opponents while orchestrating the offense.
A Match Made in Basketball Heaven?
The potential of a Giannis-Tatum-White core is tantalizing. Giannis, one of the most unstoppable forces in the NBA, would have all the space he needs to bulldoze his way to the basket. Tatum’s versatility as a scorer and playmaker would complement Giannis’ interior dominance, while White’s two-way prowess—shooting 39.6% from three last season and earning All-Defensive honors—ties it all together. Add Myles Turner, a rim-protecting, floor-spacing big, and Bobby Portis, a hustle-heavy forward, and the Celtics would boast a roster dripping with versatility and defensive tenacity.
But there’s a catch: spacing. For this superteam to click, Boston would need to surround their stars with elite shooters. Giannis thrives when driving lanes are open, and Tatum’s game elevates with room to operate. Losing Sam Hauser, a sharpshooting wing who shot 42.4% from deep last season, would sting. His departure in the proposed trade is a steep price, but landing a player of Giannis’ caliber demands sacrifice. The Celtics would need to scour the market for budget-friendly shooters to fill the void—think players like Luke Kennard or even a re-signed Doug McDermott—to keep the floor balanced.
The Spacing Solution
To make this dream roster work, Stevens would need to prioritize shooters who can also hold their own defensively. Players like Payton Pritchard, already a spark plug off the bench, could step up, while free-agent signings or smaller trades could bring in specialists to complement the core. The goal? A rotation that blends shooting, ball-handling, and lock-down defense to maximize Giannis and Tatum’s downhill attacks. It’s a tall order, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Stevens, whose track record of roster-building wizardry speaks for itself.
Giannis’ New York Dream
There’s one major hurdle: Giannis’ reported preference for the New York Knicks. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania on October 7, Giannis’ agent, Alex Saratsis, has been doing “serious due diligence” on potential destinations, with the Knicks emerging as the only team Giannis would consider outside Milwaukee. The allure of Madison Square Garden is undeniable, but preferences can shift. The chance to team up with Tatum, chase Banner 19, and cement his legacy in Boston’s storied franchise could sway the Greek Freak. After all, who could resist the pull of TD Garden’s raucous crowd and a shot at dethroning the Knicks in their own backyard?
A New Era of Celtics Dominance?
While the likelihood of Giannis swapping Milwaukee’s green for Boston’s remains slim, the mere thought of this trade ignites the imagination. A Giannis-Tatum-White trio, backed by Turner’s rim protection and Portis’ grit, could usher in a new era of Celtics dominance. Stevens would need to work his magic to address spacing concerns, but the payoff—a roster built to overwhelm opponents on both ends—would be worth it. For now, this blockbuster remains a tantalizing “what if,” but in the NBA, where stars align in the blink of an eye, Celtics fans can dare to dream of a two-time MVP donning the clover.