According to Anthony Davis, there are only a handful of teams in the NBA that could beat the Celtics. But what if Boston offered some outrageous trade scenario? Would other GMs be willing to take on Kelly Olynyk for AD or maybe even Jae Crowder and Al Horford for him?
The “anthony davis trade” was proposed by an NBA executive. The Celtics would scoff at the proposal because they think that it is not fair to their team.
The historic rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers is essential for sports fans to completely comprehend history. It’s a long-running grudge fight that’s resulted in a bitter coastal rivalry rife with bad blood and animosity.
The rivalry between the two clubs is so strong that they seldom negotiate trades. One NBA executive, though, feels that this should change.
Before the Feb. 10 trade deadline, the Lakers had their sights set on Celtics winger Josh Richardson, but Boston sent him to the San Antonio Spurs as part of a deal for Derrick White. After passing on the Purple and Gold at the trade deadline, a league source believes the C’s should pursue Lakers star Anthony Davis.
It’s an epically ridiculous suggestion that should make Celtics supporters double over with laughter.
The Celtics should make a blockbuster deal with the Lakers for Anthony Davis, according to one NBA executive.
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Davis’ ongoing injury troubles, as well as the foreboding atmosphere in Los Angeles, may force the Lakers to consider dealing The Brow. Would he be a good fit in Beantown?
An unidentified NBA official expounded on the Celtics’ earlier flirtations with AD during Danny Ainge’s tenure as club president in an interview with Heavy.com. The insider is still certain that a deal is out there someplace.
“How about trading [Davis] for Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Aaron Nesmith with Horton-Tucker?” That would be something the Lakers would have to think about. “I’d gladly accept it.”
–According to Heavy.com, an NBA executive
Complications do occur, though.
While the executives said that they would make that trade if they were in charge of the Lakers, they also noted that Davis may refuse to play for the Celtics. If LA attempts to operate in AD’s best interests, that aspect might invalidate any prospective deal.
It’s a pointless debate. That bundle would never be offered in Boston. And if Rob Pelinka called Brad Stevens with such a scenario, the first-year Celtics president should laugh him off the phone if he is fortunate enough to stay Lakers GM through the summer.
Why would Boston agree to this deal?
During a game on Jan. 30, 2021, Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown gets two points on a layup as Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis defends | John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
In the NBA, Anthony Davis is a top-tier player. Even though his inclusion on the 75th Anniversary Team was contentious, he’s one of the finest two-way forwards of this age, if not the century.
The Celtics, on the other hand, have no reason to acquire The Brow.
To begin with, the injury history is a major worry. Davis has only played in more than 70 games twice in his career. After sustaining a mid-foot injury in February, he only played 36 games last season and will be fortunate to play more than 45 games in 2021-22. The eight-time All-Star has previously acknowledged to playing with a partially healed MCL.
By this time next year, Davis will be 30 years old. Over $78 million is owing to him over the next two seasons, including a $43 million salary and an early termination option for the 2024-25 season. Is Boston willing to spend that much money on an injured big man, particularly if it means losing Jaylen Brown?
Despite all of the early-season rumors, the Celtics have said that they are committed to Jaylen Brown. During an episode on J.J. Redick’s The Old Man and the Three podcast, Jayson Tatum did the same, putting any worries about his star combo with Brown to rest.
Brown celebrated his 25th birthday in October. He’s already one of the finest two-way wings in the NBA, and he hasn’t even reached his full potential. Given the high cost of top wings, the Celtics aren’t assured to make up for his value in the long run.
Furthermore, despite the fact that Marcus Smart and Aaron Nesmith are “throw-ins” in this framework, they are far from it.
Smart has been a fan favorite in Boston because to his rugged style and tenacious defense. He’s still a work in progress as a shooter, but he’s steadily improving as a playmaker and distributor. Because of his athleticism, Nesmith, the No. 14 selection in the 2020 draft, hasn’t earned a lot of playing time, but he still projects as a 3-and-D type with promise.
There aren’t enough reasons for the Lakers to make this trade with the Celtics. Davis doesn’t fit with Boston even schematically, considering that he’s having his worst season in terms of three-point shooting. Although Robert Williams’ passing skill allows him to play on the perimeter and at the elbows, the C’s need more outside shooting. Davis can’t offer them that since it would further destabilize the spacing.
Keeping the faith
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If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it when it comes to the Celtics.
Since the start of 2022, Boston has been top in net rating, according to NBA.com. In that time period, the C’s outperformed everyone in terms of defensive rating, allowing 3.4 less points per 100 possessions than the next-closest club, the Dallas Mavericks.
Celtics supporters have every reason to think that their squad, as it stands now, can win the Eastern Conference. Boston is just 5.0 games behind the No. 1 Miami Heat and 3.0 games behind the No. 2 Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference. Ime Udoka’s club has a great opportunity to win home-court advantage in the first round and even advance to the Conference Finals.
The Celtics can’t afford to panic and give up valuable assets to get Anthony Davis now that they’ve finally found their stride. In fact, even considering such a transaction is insane.
Unless otherwise stated, all stats are courtesy of Basketball Reference. Spotrac provided contract details.
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