In one of the deals on his NBA Trade Block Big Board, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley sent Pascal Siakam to the Dallas Mavericks for signed-and-traded former Boston Celtics big man Grant Williams, Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, Richaun Holmes, a 2025 second-round pick (via TOR), and a 2026 first-round pick.
For the Mavs, the draw of Siakam would be going all in on a new Big Three of Siakam, Luka Doncic, and Kyrie Irving according to Buckley.
“If the Mavs are convinced that Kyrie Irving is the right sidekick for Luka Dončić, they might want to scramble to find a third star and potentially put this club on a championship path,” Buckley wrote. “Siakam could be perfect for the gig, since he would be a dynamic screen partner with either guard and could initiate offense when one or both takes a seat. He’s also an impact defender who can survive switches against players of nearly all sizes and styles.”
Williams and the rest of the Toronto Raptors-bound haul would become complementary pieces to Scottie Barnes up north in Buckley’s scenario.
“The Raptors, meanwhile, should now be focused on making Barnes’ life easier, and this trade could do that in myriad ways,” Buckley prefaced before saying, “Williams and Green could fill three-and-D roles around him, Hardy packs a powerful scoring punch, and the picks could yield more keepers. Holmes would merely make the money work, but he could soak up minutes at center if needed.”
NBA Trade Block Big Board features several former Boston Celtics
Another of Buckley’s proposals on his NBA Trade Block Big Board features two former Celtics players, each being sent away over the past three summers, dealt for each other; with Malcolm Brogdon becoming the next New York Knicks splash in exchange for Evan Fournier and several Portland Trail Blazers-bound draft picks.
What do all these deals involving former Cs mean? Well, it could mean that the players are tough fits for most locker rooms; though both Brogdon and Fournier were multi-year fits with the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers, and Orlando Magic, respectively, so that’s not likely.
It definitely points to the post-Boston fit for both being rough. Considering the Celtics’ ensuing success, it’s fair to say the Cs are a factory of winning in the President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens era.
Proposed trade swaps two former Boston Celtics, gives Knicks Immanuel Quickley replacement
Proposed trade swaps two former Boston Celtics, gives Knicks Immanuel Quickley replacement
Two former Boston Celtics, who each had short stays in green, would be swapped for each other in Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley — with Malcolm Brogdon replacing Immanuel Quickley in the New York Knicks backcourt, and Evan Fournier (plus two future picks) being sent back to the Portland Trail Blazers.
“The Knicks lost both backcourt depth and shot-creation in the Anunoby deal, but they’d strengthen both areas in this swap,” Buckley prefaced before saying, “Brogdon could fit with any of their guards, since he can handle either backcourt spot on both ends, and he’s an offensive asset on or off the ball. He could even wind up cracking the starting or closing lineups if Donte DiVincenzo cools off and Quentin Grimes can’t heat up.”
As Buckley would explain, Fournier would be a mere salary-filler in this deal; needing draft picks to even coax the Trail Blazers into taking his contract.
“If the Blazers move Brogdon, they should be on the hunt for more draft picks,” Buckley wrote. “This deal not only delivers two, but the first-rounder could get better, as the protection declines in both 2025 (top 10) and 2026 (top eight). Fournier would be included solely to make the finances work and could wind up being a buyout candidate.”
Not re-singing Evan Fournier one of Brad Stevens’s first victories as Boston Celtics PBO
Choosing not to re-sign Fournier, and even helping to facilitate a sign-and-trade to the Atlantic Division rival Knicks, continues to age well for Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens.
Fournier has caused friction in Tom Thibodeau’s locker room, frustrated in his role, and has held NY back on the trade market; since no one wanted to take on his roughly $18 million annually in a swap. His fall from grace is nearly complete needing several draft picks to get off of his salary.
Will the Grant Williams sign-and-trade age the same way? That’s a different question entirely…
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