With the news that the Atlanta Hawks are searching for a Trae Young trade, the Boston Celtics could have an opportunity to solve multiple conundrums at once. Anfernee Simons has been playing very well lately, but if they still want to trade him in order to duck the tax, acting as a third team in a Young trade could be a potential solution.
If the Hawks would rather take on an expiring contract instead of multi-year money, then taking Simons could be an option for them (albeit a rather expensive one). In return, Boston could add decent depth (in the right deal) and keep the salary slot alive for future trades over the summer.
The question is, what types of trades could work for all sides?
Celtics could get involved in a Trae Young trade
The Washington Wizards were named as a top candidate to attempt to trade for Young. If that were to become the case, the Celtics probably wouldn’t have to get involved. CJ McCollum’s contract is already expiring, so they could simply make that deal.
Technically, the Celtics could add a guy like Corey Kispert in a three-team deal with the Wizards and Hawks. With the right concoction, Atlanta could snag three expiring contracts and draft capital for Young, while the Wizards landed Young and Luke Kennard. The right trade would get Boston under the tax, but it would be tricky.
But what if it were a team like the Milwaukee Bucks? Maybe they want to pair Young with Antetokounmpo. In that case, the Celtics could have a hand in a potential trade.
The Bucks’ lack of draft capital would make a deal hard, but if the Hawks were interested in Ryan Rollins, they could add him, Kyle Kuzma, and Simons from the Celtics in order to get off of Young’s long-term money.
Boston could take on Bobby Portis’ contract, which extends out for a couple of years. This deal is relatively unlikely, but that type of trade could benefit the Hawks (don’t have to take on long-term money) and the Celtics (keep the salary slot alive while also ducking the tax).
That’s the type of deal the Celtics should be on the prowl for.
A Sacramento Kings trade could be something Boston could get in on, but it would have to be very specific. Atlanta could take back Simons, DeMar DeRozan, Devin Carter, and draft capital, while Boston would end up with Malik Monk’s multi-year salary, as well as Keon Ellis.
However, in order for Boston to get under the tax line in this deal, they would also have to send Sam Hauser to Sacramento. They would walk away with Young and Hauser in the three-team trade.
If the Minnesota Timberwolves wanted Young, the Celtics could try to snag Naz Reid, but he’s locked up for some serious money in the long term. And in order to duck the tax, they’d have to trade Hauser in a separate trade.
Most of the potential deals would be complicated, but there are trades out there that could help the Celtics, Hawks, and a third team.
It may not be likely, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye out for.