With Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee up in the air, Boston fans are left wondering if the Celtics (12-9) have any real shot at landing the MVP.

It might sound crazy, but Boston must assess its position as Antetokounmpo's situation remains volatile.

It’s not every day a player like this become “available,” so to speak. If you’re not at least having the conversation internally, that’s malpractice on your part.

Things got hectic again after ESPN.com's Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, have started talks with the Bucks (10-13) about his future, with a decision expected soon. These talks are happening just as the NBA trade season opens on December 15, when big names have moved in the past.The timing is rough for Milwaukee.

The Bucks have lost eight of their last nine games, including a surprising defeat to the struggling Wizards (3-17), even with Antetokounmpo playing. This slump has knocked them out of the Eastern Conference playoff race for the time being, and raises real questions about whether the team can convince their two-time MVP they’re still contenders after major changes to the roster.

If these talks are Antetokounmpo’s way of speeding up his exit before the season ends, the impact across the league, and especially in Boston, could be huge.

Could Boston Get in the Running for Giannis?

In short, not in the usual way.

Plenty of teams will be ready to make big offers for Antetokounmpo, and most can give Milwaukee what it wants most: draft picks and young talent.

The Celtics can’t really compete with those offers. Because they’ve been successful for years, their draft picks aren’t as valuable, and a deal built around Jaylen Brown probably isn’t what Milwaukee is looking for right now.

But that doesn’t mean Boston has no role to play.

A trade this big usually needs several teams to help with salary, move assets, or adjust rosters.

The Celtics could use the situation to work on their own trade goals, like adding another big man or finding ways to manage the luxury tax for more flexibility later.If Boston acts as a third or fourth team in the deal, players like Anfernee Simons and Sam Hauser might be included, depending on how the trade is set up.

A Bigger Worry: A Rival Gets the Superstar

Even if Boston can’t get Antetokounmpo, they care just as much about where he goes.

If the Bucks move him, the Celtics’ best-case scenario is a one-way ticket to the Western Conference. But several Eastern contenders are expected to be in the mix.

The Knicks (14-7) reportedly explored Antetokounmpo discussions over the summer before talks fizzled, per ESPN. The Raptors (15-7) were linked to him back in June by the Toronto Star. Outside the East, the Spurs (15-6) and Rockets (14-5) - both rich in draft capital and young talent - loom as natural power bidders. The Hawks (13-10), armed with rising players and valuable picks including an unprotected 2026 first-rounder from New Orleans (3-19), also profile as legitimate players.

Whoever gets Antetokounmpo will have the chance to sign him to a $275 million extension through 2030-31 next October - a deal big enough to change the league’s balance of power for years to come.

For the Celtics, who are playing this season without Jayson Tatum as he recovers from a torn Achilles, the outcome of these talks is huge.

Whatever happens with Giannis will affect Boston’s chances, their rivals, and their path back to title contention for the next several years.

​Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.