Boston Celtics Receive: C Deandre Ayton (sign-and-trade)
Phoenix Suns Receive: C Robert Williams III, G Derrick White, G Aaron Nesmith
This trade between the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns was put together by Zach Buckley over at Bleacher Report. They put together the framework of some hypothetical blockbusters that would shake up the 2022 offseason.
It now seems that the restricted free agency of Deandre Ayton is going to be more eventful than originally thought. Ayton has shown that he is worth every penny that he signs for, but if Suns’ ownership doesn’t believe he is worth a max deal, he could find one elsewhere.
The Celtics aren’t a team that would come to mind first when thinking of Ayton landing spots, but it could make sense. He would solidify the middle for Boston and further cement their case as contenders in the Eastern Conference.
To make the deal happen, Boston parts ways with Robert Williams III, Derrick White and Aaron Nesmith. Williams has blossomed this season and it will sting to trade him away, but his ceiling isn’t as high as Ayton’s.
White has been a great combo guard for the Celtics off the bench, stepping into the starting lineup when Marcus Smart has been sidelined. His scoring, playmaking and defense have been welcomed with open arms. Nesmith was a first-round pick in 2020 and could provide the Suns with some cheap 3-point shooting and wing depth still on his rookie deal.
How does this deal impact each team? Let’s take a look at it from both of their perspectives, starting with the Celtics.
