Boston Celtics trade Marcus Smart, Al Horford, and Grant Williams for Anthony Davis in mock swap

Only in an alternate universe would the Boston Celtics be able to land Anthony Davis in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers that would send Marcus Smart, Al Horford, and Grant Williams to Southern California.

NBA Analysis Network came up with that framework of a deal in their latest mock draft, including Max Christie as a piece heading Boston’s way in addition to the 4× All-NBA First Team and 2× NBA All-Defensive First Team big man.

While N.A.N’s James Piercey relented on including Jaylen Brown, the likelihood of the Lakers front office being okay with parting with Davis in a deal that returns three role players–albeit three perfect fits next to LeBron James–isn’t high in any way shape or form.

Boston Celtics fans can only dream of such a deal where the front office adds another superstar while not giving up Brown or Jayson Tatum (who is practically untouchable) in the process.

Kevin Durant is a preferable trade target for the Boston Celtics than Anthony Davis

What’s wild about the aforementioned mock trade from NBA Analysis Network is that the aforementioned deal would likely make the Los Angeles Lakers better and the Boston Celtics worse, but it’d be the former franchise that would turn down the deal.

Anthony Davis is living off his reputation and the 2020 NBA Championship these days, with his 3-point percentage slipping to a point where he’s better off not hoisting up long-range shots any longer. Despite the slippage in his efficiency, Le-GM James would likely veto such a deal without the inclusion of Jaylen Brown — and even then he’d still probably pass on it.

When it comes to players realistically worth trading Brown for, the list starts and ends with Kevin Durant. Donovan Mitchell is hardly an upgrade considering the defensive struggles the Utah Jazz guard has faced during his five-year career.

Durant is worth the price of both Brown and Smart, but the Brooklyn Nets’ initial asking price will have to come down significantly for there to be actual traction towards a deal this offseason. The longer the KD trade saga drags on, though, the likelier it is that he remains with the Nets and the likelier it is that the Celtics stay intact heading into the 2022-23 NBA season.