Imagine, if you will, an NBA without a trade deadline. In other words, an alternate reality in which teams have no limit on when they can trade players in pursuit of improving their teams for a deep run at the NBA Finals.
In such a counterfactual existence that would permit trades this late in the season, the Boston Celtics could conceivably want to make some moves to bolster their postseason success odds. And to such an end, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley assembled a trio of such trades for us to consider should we ever find ourselves governed by such a generous collective bargaining agreement at the NBA level.
Let’s take a look at each of them.
We spoke with @Ky_Carlin about the MVP race, the top of the East, & more spoke on @CelticsLab
YouTube: https://t.co/AvTwdvBLpJ
Apple: https://t.co/2lXpQeLQdh
Spotify: https://t.co/JZSMywIHR8
⚡️: @FanDuel – https://t.co/TiwcJzeCgb pic.twitter.com/SeMZVH0xYl
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) March 31, 2023
Payton Pritchard to Jazz for Udoka Azubuike and two 2nds
“Payton Pritchard is a good player. The Celtics have seen him be a good player, ” writes B/R. “They just don’t see this as reason enough to get him in the regular rotation.”
“Azubuike isn’t necessarily an automatic upgrade on what the Celtics have, but that’s where the two second-round picks come into play. It’s possible, though, the 6’10”, 280-pounder is, in fact, better than any big on Boston’s bench.”
Jaylen Brown, Pritchard, Danilo Gallinari to Hawks for Dejounte Murray, John Collins and a 1st
“It’s never easy to calculate the exact trade value of an established star like Brown,” suggests Buckley. “It’s even harder still for the team trading away said star to bring back equal value.”
“This trade feels about right, though. Brown is awesome, but Pritchard is replaceable and Danilo Gallinari is 34 years old and rehabbing a torn ACL.”
Jaylen Brown to the New Orleans Pelicans for Brandon Ingram
“The Celtics might need some draft compensation to account for Brandon Ingram’s injury history, but in terms of talent, this feels pretty even,” opines the B/R analyst.
Brown has the edge in defense and efficiency. Ingram is a better handler and shot-creator. There’s a universe in which both Boston and New Orleans want more of what the other player offers.”
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
