Bill Simmons says the Celtics have gone from watching the Giannis Antetokounmpo market to actually putting an offer in front of Milwaukee.
New York’s first championship in 53 years instantly changes the Eastern Conference conversation.
For Boston, a first-round exit to Philadelphia now looks even harsher beside a Knicks title and Milwaukee’s looming decision point.
Bill Simmons puts the Celtics into Giannis chase
Simmons said Boston has entered the Antetokounmpo market with days left before the Bucks’ reported June 23 deadline to decide their franchise direction.
“I think they dove in. From what I heard, they’ve made an offer in the past week. A couple of days ago. I don’t know what the offer was, and I don’t know who’s in it, but the hat was in the ring.”
That is a real shift from how Simmons had spoken about the race earlier. He had framed Miami as the cleaner favorite, with a possible package built around Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and picks.
Then the Boston language changed. Simmons said the Celtics may have been “playing possum” and were “in on Giannis,” while also suggesting Antetokounmpo could prefer Boston or Miami, with the Celtics offering the stronger title path.
That does not mean a deal is secured, and that distinction matters. It does mean Boston’s links are getting louder as the league moves closer to Milwaukee’s draft-week deadline.
Celtics see Giannis as Knicks title answer
Antetokounmpo is the kind of player who can justify a major swing. He averaged 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 2023-24, then 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 2024-25.
Even in an injury-hit 2025-26 season, he still put up 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 36 games, shooting 62.4 percent from the field.
Boston’s cleanest offer would almost certainly start with Jaylen Brown, because Jayson Tatum is the untouchable piece. A Brown-centered package could include Sam Hauser or Derrick White for salary and value, along with first-round picks and potential swaps.
A more complicated version could bring in a third team if Milwaukee prefers younger pieces, cleaner money, or picks over Brown’s contract.
The Knicks winning the title makes the timing louder. Boston does not need a panic move, but if the Celtics believe Tatum and Giannis can reset the East, Simmons’ latest claim suggests they have at least put the call in.
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