Boston Celtics: 2 multi-team deals to get James Harden to Brooklyn

Why the Boston Celtics do it

I have made variations of this trade before, but this deal sees Trevor Ariza land on the Cs instead of Robert Covington. While the talent drop from Covington to Ariza is tangible, the Cs could probably get away with parting with just two picks for a return that also includes a dream Celtics target in Spencer Dinwiddie, as well as two floor-spacers in P.J. Tucker and Ben McLemore for the second unit.

Why the Brooklyn Nets do it

I mean, to get James Harden.

Why the Houston Rockets do it

Houston is rebuilding, and the Houdini has tried to find the perfect combination of building blocks and draft picks will do to get a deal done. Caris LeVert, Bruce Brown, and Jarrett Allen is about as promising of a role-playing trio as there is defensively. Four first-round draft picks are the true headliners, though none of the picks figure to be in the lottery besides the Memphis pick.