With just one move this offseason, the Boston Celtics could completely sink the Miami Heat's Giannis Antetokounmpo dreams. If the Celtics were to include Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in a trade offer for Giannis, the Heat's theoretical offer wouldn't stand a chance.
And if there's any credence to some recent speculation, it's not that outlandish an idea. That perhaps the Celtics wouldn't consider such a move completely off the table, especially if they fall short of expectations in this year's playoff run.
The Celtics could spoil the Heat's only shot at redemption
NBA insider Sam Amick sparked this conversation when reporting on the Celtics' potential interest in Giannis this summer. Admittedly, Amick did mention that the Celtics love the team that they've currently built. However, he did mention that if they do get bounced out of the playoffs early, they could pivot to take a look at the landscape across the league.
That includes taking a hard look at the star players who could be available on the trade block. If Giannis happens to be one of them, the Celtics, as they've historically done, will consider it.
And if Boston were serious about striking a deal for Giannis, including one of Tatum or Brown in a package would be an easy way to beat any offer that another team could make. Whether they'd be willing to go that far remains to be seen, but let's not forget that the Celtics seriously explored the possibility of doing something similar for Kevin Durant a few years ago.
It wouldn't be unheard of if the Celtics explored something similar for Giannis.
Sure, there's an argument to be made that the Celtics are at a completely different point in their build, especially after breaking through and winning a championship two seasons ago. But if there's one thing that we've learned about the Celtics' front office, it's that they aren't afraid to shake things up with an aggressive move in the trade market.
Exploring a blockbuster trade for Giannis would fall right in line with the way their front office has operated recently.
The Heat's last shot at redemption (for Giannis)
If that were to happen, that'd spell bad news for the Heat. In many ways, the Heat's pursuit of Giannis represents their big shot at redemption. After spending the better part of the last few years stuck in mediocrity, landing Giannis via trade this summer would effectively help the Heat break out of their rut.
But that will be easier said than done. Despite the encouraging momentum leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline, it would still be more surprising than not if the Heat closed the deal for Giannis.
Still, all the Heat have longed for is a shot at Giannis. They got one at the trade deadline, and the belief is that they're going to get a second swing this offseason.
Unless, of course, a team like the Celtics crashes their dreams before it even has a chance to come to reality.