Report: This Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics trade features Anthony Davis and Jaylen Brown. How does this trade improve both teams?
Entering the 2021-22 season, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers were projected to be a much better team than what they currently are. From the Lakers forming a big three in the off-season to the Celtics’ possessing arguably the best young duo in the NBA, both organizations expected to be a better overall team than last season. However, both teams are below .500 and are competing for a spot in the play-in tournament.
While the Celtics’ were not considered title contenders to start the 2021-22 season, they were expected to be at least a top-six-seeded team in the Eastern Conference. A team that possesses two All-Star players that can create their shot and play elite defence should lead their team to the playoffs, especially in the modern era of basketball. Unfortunately for the Celtics’ they have battled many roster losses due to injuries or players entering the health and safety protocol of the NBA. They have been unable to play as an overall cohesive unit and instead have had numerous players play in the rotation. While this is not the primary reason why the Celtics’ have struggled this season, it should be addressed when criticizing Boston.
Like the Celtics’, the Lakers have also suffered a fair share of roster losses due to injury and health and safety protocol. Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been sidelined for numerous games due to injuries. With the team already being mediocre, losing a star player at such a crucial moment in the season is detrimental for a team trying to win a championship.
The Lakers and Celtics have had many losses to their roster, which is a significant reason why both organizations have been abysmal. However, when assessing individual play and overall team chemistry, both teams have suffered in those categories. For Boston, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been inconsistent and unable to include the rest of the roster on offence. Play-making was one of the primary focuses that head coach Ime Udoka wanted to implement. Yet, the Celtics rank as one of the worst play-making teams in the NBA, according to NBA.com. Boston ranks 21st in the entire league in overall assist per game and ranks 20th in overall assist percentage in the NBA. The lack of a true play-making point guard is the real issue why the Celtics’ are mediocre and not the pairing of Tatum and Brown. Both former All-Stars are below the age of 23 and have years to improve their play-making abilities.
Boston has a relatively simple solution for their struggles: to improve their play-making and overall ball movement on offence. However, the Lakers have a more complicated situation as their all-around roster is the issue. Before the season, the Lakers were projected to win the NBA championship as they signed veterans with decades of experience. From Carmelo Anthony to Trevor Ariza, the Lakers are filled with old talent. They only possess four players under the age of 30 (Anthony Davis, Malik Monk, Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn) who are a part of the rotation. (This does not include any 10-day contract signings). The Lakers need to get younger if they want a better chance at making the playoffs, let alone the NBA Finals.
Another significant problem with the Lakers is their current big three in LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. On paper, this trio should be dominating the NBA, but they have been the complete opposite on the court. The trio of Westbrook, James and Davis has been awkward at times as none of them can be relied on to shoot the basketball efficiently. While James has improved his shooting over the years, Westbrook has never been a reliable shooter, and Davis is averaging the worst shot percentages of his entire career! The lack of shooting has clogged the Lakers’ offence and is likely the primary reason they are below .500. With their incredibly old roster that struggles to play defence and shoot the basketball, more changes need to happen in Los Angeles than in Boston. However, according to an article written by Kenneth Teape of ‘NBA Analysis Network,’ he references a trade by ‘Hoops Habit’ that could improve the Lakers shooting struggles while giving a different look to the Celtics roster.
Boston Celtics Receive: F/C Anthony Davis, G Kendrick Nunn, G Wayne Ellington
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F/G Jaylen Brown, F/C Al Horford, 2022 First-Round Pick, 2024 First-Round Pick
For the last few seasons, Boston has lacked a true big man and has been one of the weakest parts of their roster. By doing this trade, they eliminate that problem by adding one of the greatest power forwards ever to play basketball in Anthony Davis. While the duo of Tatum and Davis would not solve the Celtics’ play-making issues, it does give Boston a new identity and a better pair to build around for years to come. In addition, the Celtics also receive a young point guard in Kendrick Nunn, who is a great scorer and an average play-maker. This trade would be one that would elevate their chances of winning a championship in the future as opposed to the present day.
Despite Davis being injury-prone while averaging the worst shooting percentages of his entire career, he was one of the primary reasons for leading the Lakers to their 17th championship in 2020. For that reason alone, the Lakers would need to receive a lot more than just Jaylen Brown and Al Horford, as it does not make up for the type of talent Davis is in the NBA. However, when assessing this trade package, the Lakers get younger and add a bright scoring wing with superstar potential. The pairing of him and LeBron James would be exceptional as James would be the play-maker that Brown needs to progress in the NBA. In addition to adding Brown, the Lakers would also receive Al Horford, who has played solid this season and two valuable first-round picks that could be included in a Westbrook trade.
Overall, a trade like this would never happen as it is an unrealistic scenario. While both teams have real problems within their roster, trading their superstars is not the answer. Instead, building a roster that compliments the best players makes the team successful.
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