Boston Celtics: Best-case trade proposal adds Donovan Mitchell to the ‘Jays’

As the smoldered ashes of the Kevin Durant trade saga get swept away by the wind, the Donovan Mitchell trade fire burns brightly as August concludes and September (and training camp) begins. While the Boston Celtics were heavily linked to a potential KD acquisition, they don’t have a seat at the table in the Mitchell talks.

The primary reason for that is the presumed inclusion of Jaylen Brown in any scenario where Mitchell ends up in a Celtics uniform. Brown is a far superior defender and is not far behind him in the points per game department, making such a swap a near non-starter for Cs fans.

NBA Analysis Network’s James Piercey came up with a trade arrangement that brings Mitchell to Boston without the inclusion of Brown, instead inserting the team’s defensive anchor in the post and the top two players on the Celtics’ second unit.

While it would be highly unlikely considering the types of cost-controlled young talent the Utah Jazz likely covet are abundant on the New York Knicks, the frontrunner in Mitchell trade talks, and not so much on the Boston Celtics, it’s a fun proposal to dream about and/or make a reality in NBA2K:

"Utah Jazz Receive: G Derrick White, C Robert Williams III, F Grant Williams, 2025 1st Round Pick (BOS), 2026 1st Round Pick (Swap – BOS), 2027 1st Round Pick (BOS), 2029 1st Round Pick (Swap – BOS)Boston Celtics Receive: G Donovan Mitchell"

The Boston Celtics are not likely to hunt for a big fish unless things go haywire in 2022-23

Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has had to do damage control all offseason regarding Jaylen Brown’s inclusion in trade rumors, so he’s likely to focus on the current group instead of looking elsewhere.

The current group is down a major piece in the second unit given the recent left meniscus tear of Danilo Gallinari that’s expected to keep him sidelined until November, so the focus will be on finding a scoring replacement off the pine (Carmelo Anthony anyone?) while also filling the final three roster spots ahead of the October 18th opener against the Philadelphia 76ers.

It’s not likely the Celtics will be in the hunt for a big fish unless things go haywire during the 2022-23 season. Come February, we’ll have a better idea on whether or not the wheels fell off for the team with the best odds to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy next June.