NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the New York Knicks in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 22, 2024 in New York City. The Knicks won 104-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)Sarah Stier/Getty Images

76ers' Joel Embiid Questions If Bucks Helped Celtics Win 2024 NBA Title

Joseph ZuckerJun 12, 2024

The Boston Celtics might owe Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst a thank you card in the event they claim an 18th NBA championship this season.

That's at least what Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid seems to think. With the Celtics up big on the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, the 2022-23 MVP asked, "Did the bucks give them the championship?"

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That's presumably a reference to Milwaukee trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in the deal that netted Damian Lillard, with Holiday eventually getting rerouted to Boston.

Holiday had a double-double (26 points and 11 rebounds) in the Celtics' Game 2 win. His defense and ability to play off the ball were critical in Boston clawing back from an early 13-point deficit in Game 3 and jumping ahead.

Looking back, maybe the Bucks had plateaued with Holiday as the third star alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, and some sort of reshuffle was required. Even if the trade hasn't worked out so far, the underlying logic behind acquiring Lillard was there.

But Holiday winning another title in his first year with the Celtics would pretty much be the worst-case scenario for Horst and Milwaukee's front office.