Insider Reveals Major Celtics-Giannis Antetokounmpo News As Sweepstakes Begins

"The NBA playoffs represent another landmark point for the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes," Charania wrote on Monday. "Sources said postseason teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers pursued Antetokounmpo at the February deadline, and their finishes to the campaign will play a major factor in their aggressiveness to trade for Antetokounmpo."

The asking price for Antetokounmpo will be very high. It was reportedly very high near the trade deadline, and the Celtics had to know that. However, the fact that they already pursued him then would mean they will once again be in the mix for his summer sweepstakes.

Knowing that the Bucks essentially have to trade Giannis and that he is not signing an extension could lower the asking price slightly. However, acquiring the two-time MVP will likely require the Celtics to move on from one of their big contract players, Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum, and it's pretty clear who that would be. Brown's name was likely to have come up in February when the Celtics reportedly pursued Antetokounmpo the first time.

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