Boston Celtics land Ben Simmons in mock trade for Al Horford, first-round pick

Saturday’s Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Milwaukee Bucks will determine whether the Houdini’s mind will jump to mock trades involving the Boston Celtics.

After seeing Derrick White step into a starting role and deliver the exact performance needed even with no points being put up on the scoreboard in Game 2, Marcus Smart’s return can either give the Cs the series edge or give Celtics fans, at least those with an agenda against the Defensive Player of the Year, ammunition.

Should the 2021-22 Boston Celtics ultimately go down as second-round fodder to the defending champions, then a conversation about trades needs to be had.

NBA Analysis Network came up with a mock trade for Ben Simmons, and quite frankly, Hardwood Houdini would be happy with such talks actually going somewhere if this was on the table:

Why the Boston Celtics do it

Removing Al Horford from the equation is something the Cs could end up regretting, much like the last time they lost #42 back in 2019 free agency to the Philadelphia 76ers. That said, Horford is only going to operate at his current levels for so long before father time catches up to him fully.

Dealing him hurts, considering the Cs would have to give up a future first-round draft pick and two picks overall, but if the only thing about the lineup that fundamentally changes is replacing him with an All Star from 2019-21, you have to pull the trigger if you’re Brad Stevens.

Ben Simmons as the third wheel behind Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving may not prove to be a workable arrangement. As a fourth-wheel behind both ‘Jays’ and even point guard Marcus Smart could be the best way to hide his lack of shooting. In fact, that trio’s shooting is actually the perfect Simmons complement. While Robert Williams isn’t a perfect frontcourt mate offensively (ironically enough Horford comes close), their defensive ceiling makes it worth the woes on the scoring end.