Windhorst doubts Giannis extension hopes in Boston

Windhorst hasn’t – ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says he hasn’t heard Boston is on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s list, and he questions whether the Celtics would feel comfortable tying themselves to a $275 million contract given chronic injuries. He also frames Boston’s path as building thro

The most intriguing Celtics offseason question has a simple, uncomfortable edge to it: not whether Giannis Antetokounmpo could be pursued, but whether he’d actually be available—and whether it would make sense to pay for certainty that doesn’t exist.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst put the hesitation plainly in a conversation with CLNS Media’s and CelticsBlog’s Bobby Manning about where things stand this summer.

Windhorst said, “the big question the Celtics would have is Giannis prepared to sign an extension in Boston?. I don’t know the answer.” He added a second doubt that goes beyond fit and into long-term risk. “Also. do you feel good about signing a guy that. I would say. has had chronic injuries to a $275 million contract when he is in his thirties. Does everyone feel good about that?”.

Then came the line that turns the speculation into something less like a rumor and more like a dead-end unless new information arrives. “I have not heard that Boston is on Giannis’ list,” Windhorst continued. “I have not heard that Giannis is prepared to sign an extension with Boston. So frankly, the Jaylen Brown part is moot to me.”.

That “moot” word landed with weight because it reframes how the Celtics might view all the trade conversations that normally orbit a star like Giannis. If the extension question isn’t answered positively, Windhorst argues the rest of the debate loses urgency.

He also addressed the bigger picture: the Celtics’ ceiling and what they still need to do to return to the Finals. “I thought Boston was going to win the East this year. They looked great. They’re not that far.”

But “not that far” came with a clear checklist item. Windhorst said. “I think everybody would agree they need more big-man depth.” He pressed the standard the Celtics would have to meet. “Do you believe that Queta is your franchise center?. Do you honestly look yourself in the mirror and (ask). ‘can you beat Karl (-Anthony) Towns. can you beat Victor Wembanyama (in a series)’ because that’s the standard.” He added a careful caveat—“Maybe they believe he can. I’m not saying he can’t but that’s the question they need have to consider.”.

The conversation then shifted to something Boston can control: roster-building using the tools already in hand. Windhorst talked about the ways the Celtics can use the $27 million trade exception they received in February in the Anfernee Simons deal that involved Nikola Vucevic.

“The Simons trade exception is a big asset. Team’s are going to be looking to get off contracts. that’s where we are in the apron era and the Celtics have decent control of their first round picks. ” Windhorst said. He described what that combination makes possible: “They have those things two things to add a nice player. That’s probably at the front of mind.”.

He didn’t close the door on Giannis entirely. Instead, he set a condition that would force the Celtics to revisit everything. “Now if they get a call from Giannis’ agent in ten days and says he wants to be a Celtic, then let’s have a different conversation,” Windy continued.

Until then, Windhorst’s message to the Celtics is to stay focused on what can be built right now. “Until I hear about that, I think they should focus on using the Simons trade exception and hitting on their draft pick.”

Brian Windhorst Celtics offseason Giannis Antetokounmpo Jaylen Brown Queta Karl-Anthony Towns Victor Wembanyama Simons trade exception Nikola Vucevic Anfernee Simons Celtics draft pick