Grading the trade for the Boston Celtics
Al Horford is a helpful addition for the Boston Celtics and he has great familiarity with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. His veteran presence will be important as the Celtics transition to a new head coach, too, so that’s an element that needs to be taken into consideration.
READ MORE: NBA Rumors: Thunder are a potential trade destination for Celtics’ Kemba Walker
Given the almost non-existent ability to defend out in space from Moses Brown, personally, I’m not as high on his potential as many seem to be. That weighs on my perspective on this trade scenario. Grabbing rebounds at a high rate is helpful but if you get shredded in high ball screens…it’s a problem that limits potential.
The Celtics will clear $7.3 million in salary cap space for the 2021-22 season. That’s helpful in itself, however, only having to pay Horford two total seasons as opposed to paying Walker for three goes a long way, especially when considering Walker’s knee concerns.
There is only $14.5 million guaranteed of Al Horford’s salary in 2022-23 of the $26.5 million he could potentially command. That could prove to be a helpful tool in a future trade scenario and is far easier to get out of than Kemba Walker’s contract, to say the least.
Having to give up the No. 16 pick in a highly sought after NBA Draft class isn’t an ideal outcome. The picks are usually far greater valued before the actual than they are days after a selection is made. Does Jaden Springer or James Bouknight really move the needle?
Now, the Celtics will shift focus to addressing the point guard position after finding multiple new talents for the center position.
Grade: B+
