Trade Idea: Celtics - Suns

[Ed Monix]

Boston Celtics: Deandre Ayton (sign & trade), Mikal Bridges, Suns 1st round pick (protected)

Phoenix Suns: Robert Williams III, Jaylen Brown

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I have actually posted this idea before, it’s based on the concept that Robert Sarver is too ‘frugal’ to pay the luxury tax for the 22-23 season.

Robert Williams undervalued contract would be the biggest draw here, as Williams III can replace Ayton’s defensive production and keeps the Suns under the taxable threshold.

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Ayton
Tatum
Bridges
Richardson
Smart

This Celtics starting five would be up there as the best defensive unit in the league.

Bridges may be a better defender than Brown and offensively, there’s more of a hierarchy now. Ayton and Tatum’s, slower more methodical style of offence would mesh well together IMO.

[konkmv]

No.. does it make any difference?

[Celtics2021]

Are you giving Ayton the max?  If so, the Celtics need to send out more salary to make it work.

[Moranis]

Are you giving Ayton the max?  If so, the Celtics need to send out more salary to make it work.

not a ton, but they may have to do that anyway to get under the apron.

[slamtheking]

no thanks.  not enamored with Ayton -- similar to Timelord with a lot more money about to come his way.  I like Brown a lot more than Bridges.  a late first doesn't come close to closing that talent gap for me.

[Ed Monix]

Are you giving Ayton the max?  If so, the Celtics need to send out more salary to make it work.

I would assume so, or close to the max.

It is achievable because the Celtics have multiple trade exceptions that don’t expire until next season:

$5,096,479 - Walker - 05/17/22

$9,720,900 - Thompson - 07/07/22

$17,142,857 - Fournier - 08/17/22

[CBS_Take a Report]

Are you giving Ayton the max?  If so, the Celtics need to send out more salary to make it work.

not a ton, but they may have to do that anyway to get under the apron.

If you aren’t giving him the max this becomes a rental.

[Celtics2021]

Are you giving Ayton the max?  If so, the Celtics need to send out more salary to make it work.

I would assume so, or close to the max.

It is achievable because the Celtics have multiple trade exceptions that don’t expire until next season:

$5,096,479 - Kemba Walker - 05/17/22

$500,000 - Moses Brown - 06/27/2022

$9,720,900 - Tristan Thompson - 07/07/2022

$17,142,857 - Evan Fournier - 08/17/2022

It is not achievable because you would need either Ayton at ~$30 million or Bridges at $21 million to fit wholly into a single exception, which neither do.

[Ed Monix]

It is not achievable because you would need either Ayton at ~$30 million or Bridges at $21 million to fit wholly into a single exception, which neither do.

Oh sorry, I didn’t know that, thanks for the information.

If that’s the case, Horford can easily be shipped out as he’s an expiring.

[Moranis]

Are you giving Ayton the max?  If so, the Celtics need to send out more salary to make it work.

not a ton, but they may have to do that anyway to get under the apron.

If you aren’t giving him the max this becomes a rental.

The trade says sign and trade thereby implying it is in the off season.

[Vermont Green]

It is not achievable because you would need either Ayton at ~$30 million or Bridges at $21 million to fit wholly into a single exception, which neither do.

Oh sorry, I didn’t know that, thanks for the information.

If that’s the case, Horford can easily be shipped out as he’s an expiring.

I am not sure I understand this.  So the idea is to Sign and Trade for Ayton in the off season, after he becomes a FA?  In that case, we would be hard capped.  It would be much like the situation last off season with Lauri Markkanen.  I suspect that a qualifying offer will be made ($16.4M).  Even that is a lot of money.

Or we could trade for him before the deadline.  In that case, we could use TPE but I don't see why PHO would blow it up and trade two key rotation players (both 30+ minute starters).  And I think Bridges has a poison pill due to his pending extension (like RWill).  I don't understand at all why they would trade him after extending him for big money ($21M and up).

[Moranis]

Are you giving Ayton the max?  If so, the Celtics need to send out more salary to make it work.

I would assume so, or close to the max.

It is achievable because the Celtics have multiple trade exceptions that don’t expire until next season:

$5,096,479 - Kemba Walker - 05/17/22

$500,000 - Moses Brown - 06/27/2022

$9,720,900 - Tristan Thompson - 07/07/2022

$17,142,857 - Evan Fournier - 08/17/2022

It is not achievable because you would need either Ayton at ~$30 million or Bridges at $21 million to fit wholly into a single exception, which neither do.

Sure but Brown + Williams is right around 40 million (so they can acquire salary at around 50 million) thus you could finagle Ayton's starting salary just a touch below max and do it or you could send out a smaller salary and do it with him at full max.

[Moranis]

It is not achievable because you would need either Ayton at ~$30 million or Bridges at $21 million to fit wholly into a single exception, which neither do.

Oh sorry, I didn’t know that, thanks for the information.

If that’s the case, Horford can easily be shipped out as he’s an expiring.

I am not sure I understand this.  So the idea is to Sign and Trade for Ayton in the off season, after he becomes a FA?  In that case, we would be hard capped.  It would be much like the situation last off season with Lauri Markkanen.  I suspect that a qualifying offer will be made ($16.4M).  Even that is a lot of money.

Or we could trade for him before the deadline.  In that case, we could use TPE but I don't see why PHO would blow it up and trade two key rotation players (both 30+ minute starters).  And I think Bridges has a poison pill due to his pending extension (like RWill).  I don't understand at all why they would trade him after extending him for big money ($21M and up).

I just assumed he meant in the off season, which obviously does put us against the apron, but we can get below that without a ton of issue by pretty much just releasing Horford. 

[Celtics2021]

It is not achievable because you would need either Ayton at ~$30 million or Bridges at $21 million to fit wholly into a single exception, which neither do.

Oh sorry, I didn’t know that, thanks for the information.

If that’s the case, Horford can easily be shipped out as he’s an expiring.

I am not sure I understand this.  So the idea is to Sign and Trade for Ayton in the off season, after he becomes a FA?  In that case, we would be hard capped.  It would be much like the situation last off season with Lauri Markkanen.  I suspect that a qualifying offer will be made ($16.4M).  Even that is a lot of money.

Or we could trade for him before the deadline.  In that case, we could use TPE but I don't see why PHO would blow it up and trade two key rotation players (both 30+ minute starters).  And I think Bridges has a poison pill due to his pending extension (like RWill).  I don't understand at all why they would trade him after extending him for big money ($21M and up).

The hard cap isn’t a big obstacle in this proposal, as the C’s would be sending out a substantial amount of salary to make such a deal happen.  Yes, it would be an additional constraint, but I don’t think it’s the reason such a deal wouldn’t happen (and to be clear, I don’t think it would happen).

[johnnygreen]

I'm sure the Suns could figure out another way to get under the luxury tax during the offseason, while keeping their core intact. This trade makes no sense for Phoenix, who have the best record in the league this season, and were only one game away from having the best record last season. Why would they trade away two of their five starters?