NBA Trade Rumors: Boston Celtics Ship Jordan Crawford, MarShon Brooks To Golden State

Hardwood Houdini readers, I have to hand it to you: you sure know your basketball!

Nov 30, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard

(00) threads his way between Boston Celtics forward

(45), guard

(12), and guard

(27) in the 4th quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

A little less than a week ago, I posted a poll that asked you whether Jordan Crawford or MarShon Brooks had a brighter future with the Boston Celtics.  Thirty-six percent of you readers actually voted for a third option: the Celtics should trade both Crawford and Brooks, while they still have value.

Ask, and you shall receive.

Boston receives Joel Anthony, Philadelphia’s projected first-round pick, and a second round pick in 2016 from the Miami Heat.

The Golden State Warriors would appear to be getting the better end of this trade, as they now add some depth at the guard position to their bench.  Crawford should be able to give either Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson some quality rest when he comes off the bench, and Brooks has the makings of an energy-guy who can come into a game and provide a jolt when the second unit is on the floor.  Essentially, the rich get richer here, as the Warriors already hold the 6th spot out West and clearly aim to improve their lot in life.

Meanwhile, Boston gets very little in this trade.   For starters, that projected first-round pick the Celts are getting from Philadelphia is lottery protected, meaning it could actually wind up becoming two second-round picks if the 76ers miss the playoffs both this year and next year.  Yeesh.   Worst-case scenario?  The Celtics ave up Crawford and Brooks for three future second-round draft picks.

Dec 28, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard

(26) dribbles the ball up the court during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

I was pretty certain that the Cs would move one of these guys, but with Rajon Rondo having been assigned to the D-League earlier today, I would have assumed that the Celtics would have held onto Crawford.  Instead, Boston is now forced to hand the starting PG position over to . . . Phil Pressey?  They better not ask Avery Bradley to handle the rock; freeing him up from that responsibility was the best decision this team has made this season.  I felt Crawford would be a great back-up to Rondo once he returned; instead, we’ll be testing that theory . . . but in Oakland, instead of Boston.

Gotta love Danny Ainge and his insisting that the Boston Celtics franchise does not tank!  It would appear that now even the imminent return of Rajon Rondo will not be enough to make this Celtics team competitive for the second half of this season.  What do you think, readers?  Good move?  Terrible move?   Share your thoughts below!