De’Aaron Fox traded to the Boston Celtics in N.A.N mock trade

The Boston Celtics would be lucky to have FanSided’s/NBA Analysis Network’s Jack Simone latest mock trade come to fruition.

His latest hypothetical swap lands a franchise point guard without giving up a core member of the Celtics, and also sends away what could be a potential albatross in the coming years.

I’m talking about his five-player, three-draft pick scenario where Boston would bring on De’Aaron Fox from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for a package headlined by a guy who has seemingly split the Cs fanbase in half with his triumphs and tribulations, Marcus Smart.

Here is Simone’s hypothetical offering from both parties:

"Boston Celtics Receive: G De’Aaron Fox, F Maurice HarklessSacramento Kings Receive: G Marcus Smart, G Romeo Langford, F Aaron Nesmith, F Juancho Hernangomez, 2022 First-Round Pick, 2024 First-Round Pick, 2026 First-Round Pick"

So, off the bat, we’d like to point out that Juan Hernangomez’ contract has actually already been used in a multi-team deal that sent him to the San Antonio Spurs. Boston returned Bol Bol and P.J. Dozier in return, but it’s not known if either player will be able to suit up in 2021-22, and it was even rumored that they could be rerouted to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

As of now, though, they remain Celtics. Either or both could be swapped in to make this hypothetical still work.

Besides that, this is quite a plausible offer from the former Hardwood Houdini writer.

Why the Boston Celtics do it

Three draft picks is a steep price to pay, but in both returning a young burgeoning guard under team control for many years and by getting rid of a contract that is arguably already aging poorly, President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, this price may be what it takes to eventually improve the roster that away regardless.

Giving up several young wings hurts if they end up panning out elsewhere, but returning Maurice Harkless is a good depth piece for the second unit and covers the minutes lost by the departures of Aaron Nesmith and Romeo Langford.

Why the Sacramento Kings do it

Can you believe it? The Sacramento Kings don’t look like they’ll be realistically competing for a postseason spot again in 2021-22.

Back to the drawing board. At least here they acquire a DPOY caliber player in Marcus Smart and add a ton of young talent and draft capital to their treasure chest. One day they’ll find the X on the map.

Since it won’t be this year, Sacramento might as well sell off the older and more expensive floor general on the roster.