Boston Celtics: Ranking B/R’s 3 recent trade ideas involving the Cs
By Mark Nilon
Boston Celtics trade idea No. 3) Jayson Tatum heads to the Memphis Grizzlies
To start things off, we present to you the least favorable of the hypothetical trade proposals presented in the article. In this scenario, we see Jayson Tatum, Enes Kanter, and Vincent Poirier shipped off to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Jaren Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks, a 2021 first-round pick (top-five protected), and a 2024 first-round pick (top-four protected via the Golden State Warriors).
The draw for the Boston Celtics in this deal is obviously Jackson Jr., who was referred to in the piece as “everything this roster needs to complete the puzzle.”
Buckley’s reasoning went on as follows:
"The 6’11”, 242-pounder brings the drool-worthy pairing of spacing (2.5 threes at a 39.4 percent clip) and shot-blocking (1.6 blocks in 28.5 minutes). He can be the defensive anchor the Shamrocks are missing, and he’s even more fascinating at the other end. He just graded in the 87th percentile of pick-and-roll ball-handlers, the 74th percentile of pick-and-roll screeners and the 67th percentile on isolations. If Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward can collectively cover for the perimeter scoring lost with Tatum, this trade could make Boston even deeper (and better loaded for another big move). Dillon Brooks can get himself into trouble with ambitious shot selection, but put him in a more specialized role in Boston, and he can shine as a three-and-D wing."
Make no mistake about it, the Houdini believes Jackson to be a VERY talented player in this league and plays a position in which the Boston Celtics could certainly use some bolstering at.
Having said that, exchanging the already established star in 22-year-old Jayson Tatum for a player who could turn into one — though, of course, there is no guarantee –, a role player in Dillon Brooks, and a couple of future first-round picks is not worth it in our eyes.
It definitely makes Boston deeper, which is what Buckley said it would do. Still, this would be an offer best left unheard in reality.