Why the Boston Celtics do it
A team gives up two future first-round draft picks, a crucial veteran leader, a fair-priced steady-hand backup, and a recent lottery pick for one reason: immediate improvement. Malcolm Brogdon alone would make for a major upgrade, but bringing on Myles Turner to be the first big off the bench–with Brogdon sliding into Al Horford’s starting role–gives the Cs six borderline star-level players.
The value that’s outbound is vast, but Boston would immediately have the best starting lineup and sixth man in the league without a doubt.
Why the Indiana Pacers do it
The Pacers are rebuilding, but they would bring in plenty of plug-and-play options in this deal. Al Horford, if not immediately released in his contract year, would give the Pacers a two-way threat in the vein of the recently departed Domantas Sabonis. If Horford was caught, Daniel Theis could provide a much watered down version of the same skillset. Aaron Nesmith could be the steal of the deal if he could improve his efficiency after a rough shooting start in Boston (42/32/79 splits).