How This Trade Impacts Boston Celtics
The trade proposal from the Boston Celtics to the Brooklyn Nets for Kevin Durant likely didn’t come out for weeks because they tried their hardest to keep it a secret. Now that it is out, some feelings could be hurt as the players in the reported deal could no longer feel wanted by the organization.
If that is the case, they could shop around to see what kind of value Jaylen Brown and Derrick White have around the league. The answer would be a lot, as they are both excellent players that performed well in the postseason.
The Toronto Raptors would make for an intriguing trade partner for the Celtics. They are willing to make a blockbuster trade and have pieces that would not only keep Boston competitive now but potentially raise their ceiling in the future as well.
OG Anunoby would be swapped right into the spot vacated by Brown in the lineup. Anunoby has a little more size, which could make him slightly more versatile on the defensive end of the court, but Brown is ahead of him offensively right now. Could that change if Anunoby received the opportunities that Brown did as a clear-cut No. 2 option?
LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: 1 Major Reason Boston Celtics Could Actually Trade Jaylen Brown
Boston would certainly be betting on that being the case. They would also be hoping Gary Trent Jr. has another level to reach. While White may be more impactful right now, especially as a playmaker, Trent has scoring potential that White doesn’t. That could offset the drop-off from Brown to Anunoby.
Khem Birch is seen as a throw-in to match salary but is an underrated piece for Boston. He can fill Daniel Theis’s spot in the rotation after he was traded earlier this offseason. That is valuable insurance behind Al Horford, who the team is looking to scale back this season, and Robert Williams III.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: 1 Major Reason Boston Celtics Could Actually Trade Jaylen Brown
Last but not least, the Celtics are receiving two first-round picks. That seems like a fair price given where the headliners from both sides are at currently. Those are valuable assets that can be used to build more trade packages down the line to further strengthen the team.
