The juiciest asset that the Celtics got back in the Jaylen Brown trade is the 2028 first-round pick (or swap) that’s most likely coming from the Clippers. The logic was that LA has dealt away James Harden, Ivica Zubac, and Kawhi Leonard over the last few months, and they appear to be all in on starting a rebuild with a youth movement.
But that thinking got a little more complex on Thursday as it was announced that the Clippers’ trade sending Leonard to the Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and draft picks won’t be completed until the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers is resolved.
The league has been awaiting the results of an investigation into the team for allegedly circumventing the salary cap by funneling money to Leonard via a company called Aspiration. The investigation has been ongoing for almost a year, and we still have no clarity on the situation.
Now, things have taken an interesting turn with Kawhi, the main player involved in the scandal, being dealt to another team, ironically, the one that the Clippers are accused of cheating to steal Leonard away from in the first place. Since the trade was agreed upon, the teams were informed that it would only go through if the Raptors assumed responsibility for any penalties from the investigation - which they, of course, refused.
NBA ruling should only enhance the value of Celtics' 2028 pick from LAC
So, things are in a holding pattern until a verdict is reached. In the most extreme circumstances, Leonard’s contract could be voided, which would potentially make him a free agent, nullifying the trade. That could actually mean Kawhi could sign with Toronto outright, and the Clippers would get none of the players or picks.
But that would be the high end of a punishment. More likely would be a large fine and perhaps loss of draft picks or some other sort of assets. In the end, it sounds like both teams expect this to be wrapped up relatively soon and for the trade to go through after that.
Either way, it doesn’t seem like there’s much of any chance that Kawhi ends up back on the Clippers, so the Celtics shouldn’t have to worry too much about their team being good any time soon. If anything, LA may lose valuable assets that make it even harder and a longer process to rebuild, which would be great for the value of their 2028 draft pick.
It doesn’t seem like there’s any world where this ruling makes the Clippers a better team in the next two years, so the Celtics shouldn’t be too worried, and instead should be delighted that the team they’re now betting against is facing severe turmoil.
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