The Boston Celtics got a lot of flak for what they got in return for Jaylen Brown. While it's become easier to understand how Paul George will fit in Mazzulla Ball, not much attention was given to the draft assets they received from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Among them was the 2028 pick swap they'll get between the Sixers and Clippers. There's no telling what's to come from the Sixers, but trading Kawhi Leonard more or less means the Clippers are starting over, which is about to get a hell of a lot harder after the punishment the NBA just handed down for the Leonard scandal.
Per ESPN's Shams Charania, the Clippers will lose their next five consecutive first-round picks, starting in 2029, among other punishments.
Per NBA: The Clippers shall forfeit five first-round draft picks, one in each of the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 NBA Drafts.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 2, 2026
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is suspended from all league and team activities for one year for knowingly seeking to help Mr. Leonard obtain off-court… https://t.co/OhqXDEBirj
The picks are the most important to the Celtics, because now that they're stripped away from the Clippers, that prevents them from getting better. In so doing, it makes that pick swap a lot more valuable.
It allows the Celtics to do something they haven't since 2017: go pick-watching, and we all know how that turned out in the end.
No matter how Boston uses it, they should strike gold
The best part about owning a potentially golden pick is that there's no wrong way to use it. The last time Boston was in this situatuion, they got their hands on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Yes, it also led to Kyrie Irving, but anyone would have done that deal if it presented itself.
Anyway, Boston suddenly has a rare opportunity on its hands. Even if George works out, he will likely be a massive expiring contract next summer. Add that to the pick swap Boston has as its disposal, along with the fact that they have most of their future assets, and suddenly, if a superstar becomes available, they'd be at the front of the line.
It's amazing how the Brown trade was and still is being torn to shreds because Boston gave up the more talented player. However, times like these show that fans must patiently wait to see how a trade pans out before casting judgment on it.
If the Celtics get that player who turns out to be the last piece of Banner 19, whether it's through the draft or the superstar they get from the pick, then it ultimately shows why trades like that are completely necessary in the end.
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