This trade proposal is a doozy, but not totally crazy.
Surfaced by NBAAnalysis.net, here is the framework of a pre-NBA Draft blockbuster between the Celtics and Suns:
Celtics get: Devin Booker.
Suns get: Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Romeo Langford, No. 14 overall pick in this year's Draft, 2022 first-round pick.
It is the steepest price you will find when it comes to what the Celtics might be sacrificing in a trade. But that's how good Booker is.
The 24-year-old guard has averaged 26.6 points per game in each of his last two seasons, emerging as one of the NBA's best all-around scorers. He also distributes the ball on a palatable rate, averaging 6.8 assists and 6.5 assists per game in 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively.
Booker also is under contract through the 2023-24 season, having signed a five-year, $158,253,000 deal with Phoenix.
Considering the talent of Brown and the make-up of Smart, this one would have significant pain points for the Celtics. But the combination of Booker and Jayson Tatum would seem to immediately put Brad Stevens' in a different conversation when it comes to competing with the likes of LeBron James' Lakers.
Thoughts ...