Boston Celtics: 2 potential multi-team Kevin Love trades
"Boston Celtics get: Kevin Love, Terry Rozier, 2021 New York Knicks first-round pick Cleveland Cavaliers get: Julius Randle, Romeo Langford, Frank Ntilikina Charlotte Hornets get: Dennis Smith Jr., Kevin Knox, 2021 New York Knicks second-round pick New York Knicks get: Kemba Walker, Daniel Theis, Larry Nance Jr., Grant Williams"
Why the Boston Celtics do it
Who wouldn’t want a “Scary” Terry reunion?
The Boston Celtics can undo their 2019 offseason decision to sign Kemba Walker at $30 million a year–in a deal that will take him into his 30’s–instead of signing Terry Rozier to a deal under $25 million a season.
Rozier thrived alongside Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in the 2018 Playoffs, and they got just as far the 2019-20 Cs did with Walker’s max-contract in tow.
Obviously, the main draw of this deal is bringing the former All-Star Kevin Love into the fold with his spacing, but Rozier would actually likely shoulder more of the day-to-day load for the team before the postseason (or potentially even during it).
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers do it
Julius Randle plays a more high-octane and breakneck pace than Love, making him a better fit alongside the young rim-attackers in Cleveland’s core.
Romeo Langford is a former lottery-pick who has yet to–and may never–thrive in a Boston Celtics uniform.
Frank Ntilikina can play off-ball in a 3-and-D capacity and reunite with former backcourt mate Damyean Dotson in “the Land”.
Why the Charlotte Hornets do it
Kevin Knox has become a much better 3-point shooter this season, but he still plays under 20 minutes per game under new coach Tom Thibodeau. Sending him to Charlotte–alongside fellow blackballed blue-chipper Dennis Smith Jr., an NC State Wolf Pack alum, would add intriguing youth at a wholesale rate.
Why the New York Knicks do it
Bronx native Kemba Walker should play in the hallowed halls of Madison Square Garden in orange and blue once before it is all said and done. His Big East Championship-winning step-back game-winner begs to be replicated by the home team in the very same building “Cardiac Kemba” came alive.