Boston Celtics: 3 trades to add support for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum

Why the Boston Celtics do it

It’s quite indisputable that the additions of Eric Gordon and Christian Wood would elevate the Celtics’ ceiling in the Eastern Conference. Are we talking about a definite NBA Finals trip?

To be quite honest, it wouldn’t even guarantee a conference championship appearance. But it’d still be worth it.

Boston seems intent on slotting a big next to Robert Williams, just like last season, when they were willing to slot a big (Daniel Theis) next to similarly non-shooting pivot Tristan Thompson. Christian Wood provides the spacing Al Horford provided in theory.

Meanwhile, Eric Gordon replaces Dennis Schroder’s scoring but at a much more efficient rate. Gordon would be a perfect third wheel in the offense as a sixth man capable of taking the scoring load off the ‘Jays’.

Why the Houston Rockets do it

There’s minimal pressure for the Houston Rockets to even deal any of their pieces at the trade deadline, but two first-round draft picks is an aggressive offer. There may not be a draft pick waiting in separate deals for Wood and Gordon, so may as well get two with hopes of turning Schroder into a third first-rounder.