NBA Rumors: Celtics, Jaylen Brown, Kings, Zach LaVine, Bulls

Celtics

The Celtics remain lurking in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. Whether they’re willing to go all-in is another question.

According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Boston has grown frustrated with the lengthy process as teams continue to wait for clarity on Antetokounmpo’s future.

The Celtics are one of the few teams capable of putting together a package that could rival — or perhaps exceed — what the Heat have to offer. Any such deal would likely center on Jaylen Brown, though it’s unclear if Boston is willing to take that step.

Fischer reported that talk of involving a third team for Brown may be premature, while ESPN’s Marc Spears suggested Brown himself wouldn’t be eager to land in Milwaukee.

“I know the Bucks don’t love the Miami deal, but it appears to be the best deal,” Spears said.

Kings

Don’t expect Zach LaVine to walk away from nearly $50 million.

According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, the Kings guard has no plans to decline his $49 million player option for next season simply to test free agency.

That much has been made clear.

The only scenario that has reportedly been explored involves a sign-and-trade arrangement in which LaVine would opt out and immediately land elsewhere on a new contract. But Amick indicated those efforts haven’t gained much traction.

So unless something changes, Sacramento should plan on having LaVine back next season. And at that salary, it’s hard to blame him.

Bulls

The Bulls continue preparing for what could be a pivotal offseason.

Chicago enters the summer with a new front office, a new coaching staff and the No. 4 overall pick in next week’s draft.

The organization also has a path toward meaningful cap space if it chooses to go that route, as detailed by Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron.

Exactly how the Bulls use that flexibility remains one of the bigger questions facing the franchise as it attempts to build around a young core that includes Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue.

The draft may provide the first clues as to which direction Chicago intends to take.

MORE HOOPS | NBA free agents by team

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