Boston Celtics: 2 blockbuster trades involving Chris Paul

Landing Adams and Schroder but NOT Paul

The second deal involves Chris Paul and the Boston Celtics…but does not involve Chris Paul going to the Boston Celtics. Instead, he lands in New York along with Gordon Hayward and Daniel Theis. The Cs land Steven Adams and Dennis Schroder again, but get the #8 pick in the draft to potentially draft a point guard roughly half Paul’s age (no offense of course to the point god, who continues to quench his thirst from the fountain of youth).

For their troubles, the Oklahoma City Thunder land three first-round picks, Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr., Romeo Langford, Carsen Edwards, Vincent Poirier, and Julius Randle.

Why the Boston Celtics do it

Even though they wouldn’t land the best player in the deal, and would arguably be parting with the second-best player in the trade, the Cs would accomplish several goals in this scenario.

They would upgrade the starting center spot from Daniel Theis to Steven Adams, land one of the best backup point guards in the association in Dennis Schroder, and get a cost-controlled top-10 pick. Remember, Danny Ainge isn’t half bad at selecting in the top 10, with their current core of Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum all being homegrown.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder do it

Like the last deal, OKC recuperates a ton of draft capital while adding several young talents that could need a change of scenery and increased opportunity to thrive. Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina, and Dennis Smith Jr. all fit into the former description, while Romeo Langford and Carsen Edwards match the latter.

Who knows? Maybe Julius Randle could have the career renaissance Paul and Danilo Gallinari experienced with the Thunder last season.

Why the New York Knicks do it

Like the Atlanta Hawks in the last deal, the Knicks could boost themselves from the basement to the playoff picture landing Gordon Hayward in a contract year alongside a 2020 All-Star point guard.

With New York often being linked to Paul, perhaps they can later add Carmelo Anthony as well to form one of the more balanced starting lineups of Paul-R.J. Barrett-Hayward-Anthony-Mitchell Robinson.