After their conference finals loss, the Cleveland Cavaliers could look into trading for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo to bolster their team. And that could be disastrous to the Boston Celtics for two reasons: 1) it would make the Cavaliers, a conference rival, an even bigger juggernaut, and 2) it removes the possibility of Boston landing the two-time NBA MVP and doing the exact same thing.
The Cavaliers could explore a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this summer
On Tuesday's episode of "NBA Today," ESPN's Brian Windhorst suggested that Cleveland could have interest in trading for Antetokounmpo this offseason and likely moving on from Evan Mobley in the process.
"I expect them to make some significant changes to it. I expect the Cavs to be mulling over...like I don't think it will be long before you start to hear Cavs attached to Giannis...would they consider entering that market?" Windhorst said. "If they put Evan Mobley on the table...they drafted him to be another Giannis. What if they could turn him into Giannis with Harden and Donovan Mitchell on the roster?"
It's clear that changes are needed in Cleveland, much like they are in Boston. The Cavaliers haven't made it back to the NBA Finals since getting swept by the Golden State Warriors in 2018. And given how much they have underachieved in recent years (particularly last season, when they lost to the Indiana Pacers in five games in the second round of the playoffs despite being the No. 1 seed), it seems evident that what they're doing just isn't enough.
And that's exactly why trading for Antetokounmpo is not only an appealing option for Cleveland, but it might be necessary.
The Greek native is still one of the best players in the NBA when healthy, and he would greatly raise the Cavaliers' ceiling, largely because of his ability to impact the game at a high level in every area, and the fact that he has championship experience and can help them get over the hump. (Plus, a big three of Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell, and James Harden would be a matchup nightmare for Cleveland's opponents, particularly for one team in New England.)
A Giannis-to-Cleveland trade would be brutal for the Celtics
Regardless of whether it will (or even should) happen, the Celtics are a team to keep an eye on in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes this offseason. They are in need of some major changes after their disappointing first-round playoff loss against the Philadelphia 76ers, and there is a fair debate to be had about whether they have already peaked in the Jays era.
Naturally, trading for the 10-time All-Star could make sense for Boston in order to raise its ceiling and improve its immediate outlook, though there are some big risks the team must keep in mind regarding a potential trade as well.
But if Antetokounmpo doesn't make his way to Boston by the end of the offseason, and let's say he ends up with the Cavaliers specifically, then the Celtics' ranking in the East is likely going to get much worse before it gets better.
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