Credit: Fadeaway World
The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have been disappointing this year. Both have been a tiered team, although both were expected to have seasons in which they were trying to compete.
Several people have suggested that both franchises need to make a deal to fix issues with their franchise. A business idea emerged from Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report between the two franchises collaborating with each other and commercial stars, with Anthony Davis going to the Celtics and Jalen Brown to the Lakers. This trade is definitely going to be interesting and absolutely will shock everyone.
Boston Celtics received: Anthony Davis, Tallinn Horton Tucker, Kent Bazimore, 2027 first-round pick (LAL, top 3 protected)
Los Angeles Lakers reception: Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Aaron Nesmith, 2023 second-round pick (POR)
While this trade is clearly not realistic at the moment, there may be reasons to do so. Buckley suggested that Jaylen Brown would take care of “shot creation, three-point shooting, and perimeter defense” for the Lakers, and added that trading Celtics for Anthony Davis would get rid of the “overlapping fears” that plagued Jayson duo Tatum-Jaylen Brown in Boston.
The Lakers are seriously short of commercial chips, but Anthony Davis’ attachment would open up a class of otherwise inaccessible elite goals. Jaylen Brown seems created to address their biggest issues, simultaneously scratching the itch for shot creation, three-point shooting and perimeter defense. He’s small enough (25) to run on the ground with Russell Westbrook and has enough skill to work in half-court groups with LeBron James.
Marcus Smart is the attacking point guard the Lakers have missed since splitting from Alex Caruso and Quentavius Caldwell Pope over the summer. The spacing can get tight with the Smart-Westbrook backcourt, but if Smart goes back to the 34.8 clip he’s filmed over the past three seasons, that could ease some concerns. Kind Aaron Nesmith might add a bit of breathing room as well, if he lives up to his former reputation as a fireball student from a distance.
The Celtics hooked up with Davis again when he wanted to get out of the Big Easy, and the big interest could remain. The overlapping fears of the Brown-Tatum group would be out the window with Davis, a terrifying paint presence that could finish over the edge and find insult far from it. Having him with Robert Williams III in the same forward area would put a barrier between opponents and the basket.
Talen Horton-Tucker hit some road bumps in his third season, but he’s still only 21 and flashing enough shots to unleash the imagination about his future. The future selection, which will not be transferred until James is 42 (and presumably) has been made with the Lakers, could have significant commercial value for Boston to pick up public alternative ground. Kent Bazemore, which was mainly added as a salary incentive, has demonstrated 3D and 3D proficiency in the recent past.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have been longtime rivals, and only Rajon Rondo has won both the Celtics and Laker titles. But even competitors can sometimes help each other out in the league, and this potential trade would be an example of that.
While there may be upsides to making this trade, there is no doubt that none of the franchises are currently willing to make something like this. However, nothing is impossible in the NBA.
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