The Boston Celtics must do something ahead of the NBA’s March 25 negotiation deadline. They are one of the biggest disappointments so far this season, as they are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference with an identical 17-17 record with the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors.
The Celtics have two All-Stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but there’s not much more consistency behind them. Kemba Walker is still working to get back into shape. Marcus Smart is dealing with a calf injury. They have a solid group of three men in the center, but none that really stand out.
Boston was considered a candidate entering the season. But with the way things have been so far, it all adds up to what even general manager Danny Ainge says is not a good enough list to win the Eastern Conference. He takes credit for the team’s shortcomings, and it’s time to reach and strike a deal to get the team to fight again.
The Boston Celtics can quickly return to the scene as a candidate for the Eastern Conference with a few moves. This suggested that the blockbuster trade with Washington Wizards would achieve this.
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In this deal, the Celtics hire All-Star Bradley Beal in exchange for Marcus Smart, Daniel Theis, Aaron Nesmith, Robert Williams III and three future draft choices for the first round in 2021, 2023 and 2025. Draft swaps in 2022 and 2024 likely be included as well.
Could Boston change the heart and soul of its team at Smart? If it is for someone of Beal’s caliber, they would have to take this seriously. While Bradley Beal is not the tenacious defender Marcus Smart is, adding him to Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker would give the Boston Celtics serious firepower in the attack. Only the trio in Brooklyn would challenge that firepower.
For Washington, this is probably not enough. For starters, although your defense should become more competent with the added depth, your attack would be a crater without Bradley Beal. In addition, these choices would likely be in the late 1920s, as the trio of Beal, Brown and Tatum would be the post-season favorites at the Eastern Conference in the foreseeable future. Beal is the oldest in this group and turns 28 in October.
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While Nesmith and Williams are intriguing young players, Washington would probably like more established players on the team. As long as Russell Westbrook is in their roster, they will not be fully embracing a devastating reconstruction.
Although Washington would become a stronger team with this exchange, it lacks the potential star power they would expect to receive in a package for Bradley Beal. Without extra draft choices at hand, making a deal for Beal would be very difficult.