Suppose the price for AD is too high - maybe Durant does go to the Knicks, the Knicks win the draft lottery, and they decide to dangle the top pick to NOP so they can pair Durant with AD. Or suppose the Pels hold out for Tatum and Brown, but this year's team gets to the Finals so the team doesn't want to do major surgery. What about this as a rebalancing second-best:
Bos gets: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Mem gets: Jaylen Brown
If necessary, throw in a lesser first-round pick for NOP - ideally Boston's or the Clippers', possibly Sacto's if it doesn't move up in the lottery.
Why Boston does it: First, they make sure JJJ's physicals check out. If they do, we would be rebalancing - exchanging a very good player (in Brown) for another very good player (JJJ) in an area where we are much thinner. JJJ might pair well with Al right away as a starter, letting us give Baynes 15-20 minutes as the third big; longterm we would be grooming JJJ to be Al's heir. The future of the frontcourt, assuming RWIII keeps improving, looks solid and we clear out some of the logjam at the wing. Since Jackson is a long 6'11" (good reach) and already goes 240 at age 19, he's plenty big enough to play center. Plus, he's on his rookie deal for another three years, which helps ease the pain of the lux tax.
Why Memphis does it: Memphis would miss JJJ, no doubt, but they have plenty of other holes. They are also lacking an elite wing prospect, and Brown fills that bill. Playing on the Grizzlies will let Brown grow into a bigger role and develop more of his growing talent for shot creation, which is going to be a bit buried on the Cs. He's already a very good one-on-one defender - a true two-way player. They play different positions, but Brown's talent is comparable to Jackson's, and the sweetener, which is likely needed to get this deal done, is an extra first-round pick.
Wanted to add a poll, but can't figure out how to do that, so here's my poll:
1 - Let's do this! I see a dynasty!
2 - Only if we can make this trade without including a pick or some other minor asset.
3 - Nope, Celtics should say no
4 - Nope, Memphis says no, JJJ is their guy