Boston Celtics Receive: G Malik Beasley, DEN/PHI 2022 2nd Round Pick (More Favorable of DEN/PHI to BOS, via MIN), MIN 2023 1st Round Pick (Top-5 Protected)
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G Marcus Smart
There is a level of interest within the Boston Celtics front-office of possibly moving Marcus Smart, but they are not going to move the veteran guard at the trade deadline unless they can get a really good offer for him.
According to Wolfson, Malik Beasley must be a part of the trade package going to Boston, along with a first-round pick or last year’s first-round pick in Jaden McDaniels.
So far this season, Minnesota has been unwilling to discuss McDaniels in trade talks and they were hesitant about even including him in a potential package for 76ers’ All-Star Ben Simmons.
In this trade with the Celtics, the Minnesota Timberwolves would be able to keep McDaniels on their roster, but they would have to trade Malik Beasley, along with a first-round pick and a second-round pick.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Wolves Exploring Beverley, Beasley Trades; Eyeing Celtics’ Smart
Given all of their trade exceptions, the Celtics could absorb Malik Beasley’s contract using their $17.1M TPE that was created when they executed the sign-and-trade of Evan Fournier to the New York Knicks prior to the start of this season.
Now in his third season with the Timberwolves, Malik Beasley has been an instant source of offense for Minnesota, averaging 16.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and shooting 37.7% from three-point range as a member of the Timberwolves.
Boston desperately needs more scoring weapons and most of all, they need shooters around their two All-Stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. As a team, the Celtics have shot just 34.2% from deep this season, ranking them 22nd in the league in that category.
Minnesota does not necessarily need another backcourt piece, but Marcus Smart is a very versatile defender that often acts as a “positionless” player solely because of his defensive prowess.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Wolves Exploring Beverley, Beasley Trades; Eyeing Celtics’ Smart
Both Marcus Smart and Patrick Beverley are two of the best defensive guards in the league and with the Minnesota Timberwolves already ranking 15th in defensive rating on the year, they could instantly springboard into the Top-10 with the addition of Smart.
