If the Boston Celtics aren't going to get involved in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, the Miami Heat have to like their chances of landing the superstar forward that much more.
And, if this one Celtics-Giannis rumor continues to make the rounds, maybe the Heat's odds of landing the superstar just got that much better.
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, he does not believe that a Giannis trade to Boston is in "the world of reality." In his words, Windy has not heard that Boston is on Giannis' list or that he would be willing to sign a long-term extension with the Celtics.
Heat would benefit from the Celtics being out of the Giannis sweepstakes
He notes that just because he has not heard that doesn't mean either of those things is not true, but it just hasn't come across his wire just yet.
Considering that Windy is one of the more trusted reporters in the basketball world, this should hold great significance, especially since many Heat fans believe that the Celtics would emerge as one of the biggest threats to their chances of landing Giannis.
For context, this is the second time that Windy has offered up the idea that the Celtics may not be in the mix for Giannis. Chris Haynes is another reporter who has suggested that Boston may not have plans to pursue Giannis either.
For Heat fans who are getting some PTSD about the possibility of the Celtics swooping in at the last minute to steal Giannis from their grasp, it's starting to feel as if those thoughts should slowly fall by the wayside.
It's almost closing time for the Heat
Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean that Miami should be overly confident about their chances of landing Giannis now, but they certainly just took a boost if the Celtics aren't involved. Miami could still have its hands full with other teams that could be in on Giannis, such as the Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, and perhaps even the Cleveland Cavaliers or New York Knicks (depending on how their season ends).
But, at least for now, if it is true that the Celtics aren't going to factor much, if at all, in the final stages of the Giannis saga, the Heat should be ecstatic.
As we inch closer and closer to the 2026 NBA Draft, there's an overwhelming belief that we could also be closing in on a Giannis trade. That means, at any given moment, there could be an agreement in place. That means, it's closing time for Pat Riley and this Heat's front office.
And after finding themselves on the losing end of negotiations for star players in the recent past, the Heat can't afford to mess this up this time around. Especially considering how realistic this pipe dream feels at this point.
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