New Celtics Rumors Reveal Giannis Backup Target is Trey Murphy III if Bucks Trade Fails

If the Boston Celtics don't land Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo via trade this offseason, then they will reportedly turn their attention toward New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, per Sam Amick of The Athletic.

"Then again, the Celtics' desperation level simply isn't at the level of the Heat's. By all accounts, Boston could forge ahead with the Brown-Jayson Tatum dynamic duo and look for other ways to upgrade the frontcourt. To that end, league sources say the Celtics are among the many teams with interest in the New Orleans Pelicans' Trey Murphy III (if they don't land Antetokounmpo)."

The 26-year-old Murphy has played all five of his NBA seasons for the Pelicans and averaged 21.5 points on 47.0 percent shooting (37.9 percent from three), 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

As of now, it appears the Celtics and Miami Heat are the top two contenders to land Antetokounmpo, with Miami perhaps having the edge.

Amick reported the latest on the Celtics' interest.

"The Boston Celtics, as has been the case for some time now, have serious interest and remain a significant threat to derail Miami Heat president Pat Riley's plans — if the Celtics are willing to do what it takes before this (unofficial) buzzer sounds to get a deal done."

NBA insider Jake Fischer, citing sources, reported Thursday that Milwaukee has "been carrying itself like a franchise" that will make the NBA draft's No. 10 and 13 picks. Milwaukee already owns the No. 10 pick, but the 13th choice currently belongs to the Heat. One can assume the Heat would have to part with that selection in a Giannis trade.

If Miami ultimately wins the Giannis sweepstakes, then it's not all lost for the Celtics. As Amick noted, they'd have to part ways with Jaylen Brown (and likely more) in a Giannis deal. Brown just had his best-ever NBA season, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.

Murphy is a talented player in own right and can give the Celtics a fantastic third scoring option. The 6'8" wing could easily fit alongside Brown at shooting guard and Jayson Tatum at power forward, and he's also on a palatable deal (four-year, $112 million contract that runs through 2029).

We'll see how the dominoes move soon enough. The Bucks have a self-imposed deadline of Tuesday regarding the potential Antetokounmpo trade, per Amick, so things can move quickly in short order.