Boston Celtics: Pros and Cons of trading for Dejounte Murray

Verdict

Dejounte Murray would be a fantastic fit for the Boston Celtics.

His age, defense, and offensive flashes would suit Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the rest of the C’s coaching staff.

He is their ideal replacement for Smart if he demands too much money, and Murray is the perfect player to put alongside whichever star guard Boston signs next summer.

However, if Murray does not improve as a shooter, scorer, and ball handler, the Celtics may have some problems.

Depending on their short-term goals, betting on a young player’s development is not always the best idea when trying to win a championship.

When it’s Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown, who have shown they can be stars on the biggest stage, it’s okay. That said, it’s a considerable risk for an unproven guard like Murray.

The Boston Celtics need to determine if they would instead rather roll with Smart, who they trust and know what to expect, or decide the risk is worth it and trade for Murray.

If the price is right for Murray, I say pull the trigger.

I’m not fond of giving up Smart, and I doubt the Cs do it anyway, but his potential means his value could increase over time.

The Boston Celtics could roll with Murray for a season, then determine whether or not he’s worth keeping in the long term the following summer. If he is, great, but if he’s not, they can look to flip him for more than they sent out and create more cap space should he thrive in his new environment.