2 trades that would make the Boston Celtics have a holly jolly Christmas

Boston Celtics land Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers re-tool

Perhaps the most popular trade targets amongst fans that the Boston Celtics could look to pursue, Domantas Sabonis makes his way to Eastern Massachusetts in this newest trade proposal by us here at the Houdini.

The Indiana Pacers are rumored to be interested in potentially blowing up their core, or at the very least re-tooling their roster, and, with this, are likely looking to go into a semi/ full-fledged rebuild as a result.

Because of this, young players and draft capital would easily be the two most sought-after assets if they went about and took part in some in-season dealings, and the Cs may have some of these kinds of resources at their disposal that the Pacers could be interested in.

First thing’s first, Brad Stevens and co. will almost certainly have to include multiple first-round picks to make a deal for the All-Star big man work for, while guys like Robert Williams and Romeo Langford are for a team looking to embark on a youth movement, they are by no means proven commodities.

So, with this, we have two firsts heading Indy’s way (one being a lottery-protected pick) alongside a package headlined by the two players listed above as well as Josh Richardson and Juan Hernangomez who, though have the makings of being solid contributors for a team in their own right, are simply salary matchers.

Still just 24-years-old and not even on the first season of his team-friendly four-year, $54 million deal, Williams could be viewed as the long-term pivot option for the Pacers moving forward, especially if they go about and cash in on Myles Turner’s trade value (a player who also would seemingly be open to a change of scenery) at some point between now and the deadline.

Off to an impressive start to the 2021-22 campaign with the Boston Celtics, Time Lord finds himself putting up 12.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks on 73 percent shooting from the floor per 75 possessions. With his high-end athleticism and elite rim-protecting/ defensive skills, the Pacers could easily view Robert Williams in the same vein as the Cleveland Cavaliers did a guy like Jarrett Allen just last season, and look where they find themselves now… just saying.

On the other hand, Langford, though not as safe of a player at the moment as Williams, arguably has just about the same upside should he get the proper development and tutelage.

Coming into the league back in 2019, the wing was viewed by many as a potential steal of a talent when the Cs took him 14th overall, for, during his time at Indiana University, he showcased some serious potential as a competent NBA-level two-way player, finishing with averages of 16.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and just shy of a block and a steal during his one-and-done season all while suffering from a torn ligament in his right thumb.

Showing signs of life in his third season with Boston, boasting per-75 possession averages of 9.5 points and 6.2 rebounds on 36 percent shooting from deep, perhaps his hometown Pacers may wish to take a gamble on the 22-year-old lottery pick living up to his full potential.

As for the shamrocks, they see Domantas Sabonis heading their way to help formulate the league’s next Big-3 along with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

The star big man would provide elite interior scoring for Boston that they don’t currently have at the moment with the likes of Williams and Horford, thus forcing an opposing defense to focus a large chunk of their attention on the paint which, in turn, would allow Tatum and Brown to flourish when out on the perimeter.

Currently on the year, Sabonis finds himself boasting a stellar all-around stat-line of 18.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.1 steals on 58 percent shooting from the floor.

Along with him we also see the Cs bringing aboard veteran wing Justin Holiday who, with his well-documented 3-and-D efficiency throughout his career — a career 8.5 point per game scorer on 36 percent shooting from deep — could prove to be a truly valuable role player to have come off the pine.