AJ MAST/Associated Press
Boston Celtics receive: Victor Oladipo, Myles Turner and T.J. Leaf
Indiana Pacers receive: Gordon Hayward, Marcus Smart, Daniel Theis and No. 14 pick (via Memphis Grizzlies)
The Celtics just made a conference finals run, so maybe they aren’t super eager to rock the boat. Then again, this was Boston’s third appearance there in four years, and none have ended with a Finals trip. This might be the perfect time to shake things up, especially with Hayward reportedly wanting out of Boston, per The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo (h/t Mollie Walker of the New York Post).
The Shamrocks might have to bite if this offer comes across the table.
A healthy Oladipo is a more dynamic player than anyone the Celtics would be parting with in this deal. When he’s right, he has no major weaknesses and several top-shelf strengths (on-ball defense, slashing and shot-creation). Then, Boston would also get Turner to shore up its center rotation, and his 35.7 career three-point percentage ensures he wouldn’t spoil the offense’s spacing. Leaf would make the money work, and maybe he can prove worth developing.
This could effectively take what Boston already does well and elevate it, all while addressing its biggest need for more resistance at the rim. It’d be a costly core for the Celtics, but that will be the case regardless of how they surround Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker.
The Pacers, meanwhile, might be bracing for a change of direction. Oladipo is down to his final season under contract and is reportedly “looking to move on this offseason,” per The Athletic’s Jared Weiss. Indiana might also be rethinking its jumbo-sized frontcourt after watching T.J. Warren thrive as a small-ball 4 in the bubble.
Indiana probably doesn’t want a total tear-down, though, as this roster still runs heavy on good (and pricey) veterans. Hayward, an Indianapolis native, could team with Warren, Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon to lead an egalitarian attack. Smart might be one of the few players who could actually be a defensive upgrade over Oladipo, plus he’s finding ways to extend his impact to the offensive end.
Theis could slot in behind Sabonis and allow Goga Bitadze to continue developing at his own pace. Indiana would also gain entry into the opening round after it parted with its first-round pick (which landed 24th) in last summer’s sign-and-trade for Brogdon.
