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Blockbuster proposal sees Boston Celtics and Hornets swap former No. 3 picks

By Andrew Hughes

In a mock trade proposal from the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast, the Boston Celtics and Hornets swap former No. 3 picks Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
In a mock trade proposal from the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast, the Boston Celtics and Hornets swap former No. 3 picks Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /
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Weeks ahead of the 2023 NBA draft, one of the Boston Celtics’ top draft picks in the last decade, Jaylen Brown, finds himself as one of the most popular names in the rumor mill — and the crew of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast came up with a swap that’d swap him out for another former No. 3 pick: Hornets guard LaMelo Ball.

Ball, the NBA’s Rookie of the Year during the pandemic-stricken 2020-21 season that was mostly held in empty arenas, has progressed into a stat-sheet stuffer (23 points, eight assists, six rebounds in 2022-23) over his three seasons in Charlotte. He was only able to suit up in 36 games during the 2022-23 season due to a fractured ankle.

In the proposal from the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast, the Celtics would land P.J. Washington as well. Washington’s counting stats peaked during the 2022-23 season (15.7 points, five rebounds) while his efficiency (44/35/73) dipped. The Kentucky product is a restricted-free agent.

The Boston Celtics could do far worse in a Jaylen Brown trade

This is not a bad mock proposal at all. In fact, if the Boston Celtics front office ends up having their hands tied and must trade Brown at his behest, there are many worse trade packages the team could return for No. 7.

While many may scoff at the idea of adding a player like Ball who was a media lightning rod long before he ever stepped foot on the NBA hardwood, the media attention he generates is actually overblown. LaVar Ball has seen his celebrity drastically decrease over the years — perhaps due to the damage he did to Lonzo Ball’s standing –, and the Hornets have hardly been overrun by a media circus in Ball’s three years in the league.

Fortifying the frontcourt with a long-term Al Horford replacement like Washington could be a good hedge to Grant Williams, since the two may end up getting paid similarly. Ball adds a playmaking dynamic the team has been lacking since Rajon Rondo.

Who says no? Because it’d be tough for Boston to justify saying so.

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