How To Make A Harrison Barnes Trade Work?

[td450]

Say Barnes costs you 2021 1st, 2023 1st and Langford.

Too much.

That is essentially 3 1sts for Barnes which is a lot of value.

That being said, because Langford has not been a part of the roster for so long, it is a 100% additive deal.

If the team doesn't want to do something like this, then commit to the future leaning strategy and act accordingly. Choose player development and get rid of Walker and Thompson. Choose to organize the roster and play to develop for now. You can't have this many draft picks languishing on the bench, but not want to trade any.

However, that doesn't appear to be the strategy, and having one more player on this team that is a strong starter in their own right and fits into a glaring team need is considerably more important marginally.

The current strategy already is not getting a lot of productivity or player development out of the boatload of picks we used in the past 2 years. Harrison Barnes, or Jerami Grant or some other solid wing starter would solve a lot of problems.

[Roy H.]

The Celtics have been focused on Kings forward Harrison Barnes in recent weeks, with Detroit sending signals that it has no interest in trading rising forward—and GM Troy Weaver free agent signing—Jerami Grant. Boston won’t force a deal, with team officials seeing value in holding on to the exception into free agency. But expect the Celtics to pursue Barnes right up until the deadline.
– via Chris Mannix @ Sports Ilustratedl

[gouki88]

The Celtics have been focused on Kings forward Harrison Barnes in recent weeks, with Detroit sending signals that it has no interest in trading rising forward—and GM Troy Weaver free agent signing—Jerami Grant. Boston won’t force a deal, with team officials seeing value in holding on to the exception into free agency. But expect the Celtics to pursue Barnes right up until the deadline.
– via Chris Mannix @ Sports Ilustratedl

Would be great. Fits in with Brad's vision of a smaller team playing one big lineups, can start or come off the bench, shoots the ball well and passes, defends solidly. Ticks all the boxes. With Sacramento declining he should be attainable.

[Celtics2021]

Here's an idea that combines getting Harrison Barnes, giving Time Lord more minutes, and creating minutes at the center to be an attractive buyout destination for Aldridge.  As a bonus, this deal does not require use of the TPE.

To Raptors:
Daniel Theis

From Raptors:
Stanley Johnson
2021 1st (Lotto protected for 1-2 years, then converts to seconds)

To Mavericks:
Tristan Thompson

From Mavericks:
Josh Green
WCS

To Kings:
Aaron Nesmith
Josh Green
Stanley Johnson

From Kings:
Harrison Barnes

To Celtics:
Harrison Barnes
WCS (absorbed via Kanter TPE)

From Celtics:
Aaron Nesmith

Obviously 4-team deals are difficult to pull off, at best.  But this might give every team what they need.  The Raptors and Mavs both upgrade their center position, at salaries they can afford, and for not ridiculous costs (protected 1st and a rookie who won't get development).  The Kings get 2 rookie 1st round prospects and a pick, and don't have to take on long-term salary.  The Celtics get Barnes, stay out of the tax, don't give up future picks, keep the Hayward TPE, and get a center who hopefully becomes third-string if LMA signs into the open roster spot, but is at least a serviceable backup if that part of the plan doesn't come to fruition, while giving Time Lord the starting role he has earned.

[footey]

Imagine the trade buzz will reach crescendo Friday night when Kings come to town.