NBA Rumors: Celtics, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Sixers, Joel Embiid, Knicks

Celtics

The Celtics continue to be linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the biggest question may be whether pursuing the Bucks superstar is actually Boston’s best move.

According to Jay King of The Athletic, the Celtics face a difficult decision if trade talks ever become serious.

Jaylen Brown is coming off arguably the best season of his career, earning All-NBA honors for the second time while remaining firmly in his prime. Trading a player of that caliber for a star on the other side of 30 always carries some risk.

At the same time, Boston could be looking at a classic sell-high opportunity.

King also noted that any potential Giannis deal would likely force the Celtics to weigh the value of young assets such as Hugo Gonzalez against the immediate championship upside Antetokounmpo would provide.

76ers

The Sixers don’t appear to have many alternatives when it comes to Joel Embiid.

In a recent mailbag, Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer suggested Philadelphia is unlikely to find a trade market for the former MVP given his contract and ongoing injury concerns.

Instead, the organization appears committed to finding ways to maximize Embiid’s availability moving forward.

One possibility, according to Mizell, could involve pairing Embiid with another big man more frequently. She pointed to young center Adem Bona as a potential option, similar to how San Antonio occasionally utilized dual-big lineups during the regular season.

Ultimately, the Sixers seem prepared to move forward under the belief that Embiid and the team’s medical staff have identified a workable plan for managing his knee issues.

Knicks

The Knicks are coming off a championship, but that doesn’t mean they’ll have a blank check this offseason.

According to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, comments from owner James Dolan regarding the second apron have generated attention around the league.

While many contenders have been willing to absorb the penalties associated with exceeding the second apron, Dolan’s remarks suggest New York may be looking for ways to avoid crossing that threshold.

That could impact several free-agent decisions.

Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet are among the Knicks’ most notable free agents, while Jose Alvarado‘s player option could further complicate the club’s financial picture.

Edwards speculated that New York may ultimately need to part with one or more key contributors, restructure contracts or make a trade in order to maintain roster flexibility while staying below the second apron.

MORE HOOPS | NBA free agents by team