Sabonis Rumor/Idea

[Celtics2021]

I found this nugget about what the Pacers might be asking for Sabonis:

Regarding Domantas Sabonis, one NBA executive told me he doesn’t see the Pacers moving Sabonis unless they get a Nikola Vucevic type of package in return as Orlando did when they traded the All-Star center to Chicago last season.

https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-trade-talks-james-harden-ben-simmons-domantas-sabonis-more/

Assuming that's true, the Magic received two firsts (top-3/4 protected), a lottery pick who wasn't living up to his full potential (Wendell Carter Jr.), and salary filler.  I'm not quite sure the Celtics have a player of Carter Jr.'s caliber, but what about:

Pacers receive:
Al Horford
2022, 2024 unprotected
2023 2nd round pick (from Houston if not pick 31 or 32)

Celtics receive:
Sabonis
Justin Holiday

It's not quite the Vucevic haul, but the C's picks are fully unprotected unlike what Orlando received, and it's certainly possible this year's team falls flat on its face into the lottery.  Do the C's need to upgrade that 2023 2nd into a future 1st?  Holiday isn't exactly considered a throw-in, but he is there for salary matching purposes.  If the C's added a prospect like Romeo or Nesmith, that would like bump the Pacers into the tax, which is the other reason I added that (potentially very good) 2nd in place of a prospect, as I imagine avoiding the tax is critical to Indiana.

If the Celtics gave up something like this, what would you think?  The more I've watched the teams play, the more I think Rob Williams is a better fit next to Sabonis than Turner is, and Sabonis could really serve to unlock the C's offense as a passer in ways that Horford cannot.  Could he be a successful third star next to the J's?

Financially speaking, the C's would (likely, barring Jaylen or Sabonis being late additions the all-star game/surprising All-NBAs) avoid the tax this year, and wouldn't have an unmanageable situation next year either (pending other moves).

[Roy H.]

Sounds great to me.

At the same time, we might need to add more. Horford adds salary next year, and Vuc returned the #8 pick.

[gouki88]

That would be an awesome, fun team.

Smart / Schroder / PP
Brown / Richardson
Tatum / Langford (or Nesmith, if one is traded)
Sabonis / Grant W
Rob W / Freedom

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Isn't Payton Pritchard's upside something like JJ Barea was, who was fully unlocked under Carlisle in Dallas?

I love the basics of this trade. Gets us out of the tax. Get's a really good player around the Js.

[jbpats]

I would love Sabonis on this team. Fills an immediate need, has a extremely favorable contract and fits our timeline perfectly.

I think we'd be a serious contender for years to come barring any new super team creation(s)

[Celtics2021]

Sounds great to me.

At the same time, we might need to add more. Horford adds salary next year, and Vuc returned the #8 pick.

Yes, Vuc returned the 8th pick, but the Bulls actually played worse post-trade.  They were in the 9th spot in the conference when the trade was made, 2.5 games ahead of 11th, when the trade was made.  The C’s are in 9th place, 2 games ahead of 11th, so to me they’re fairly comparable in terms of potential value (C’s record is better than Chicago, but there is more competition for the play-in this year than last).

Horford’s partial guarantee is a bit more of a problem, but the C’s are taking on some long-term salary in Holiday, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Birdman]

I trade whoever they want, except Tatum, for Sabonis

[Celtics2021]

That would be an awesome, fun team.

Smart / Schroder / PP
Brown / Richardson
Tatum / Langford (or Nesmith, if one is traded)
Sabonis / Grant W
Rob W / Freedom

I like it too.  I think Holiday would slot above Langford/Nesmith, fwiw.

[Who]

We lack the major draft pick to get it done without another bigger piece. I wonder if Rob Williams would do as that bigger piece. So Rob Williams, cap makeweight + two 1sts for D.Sabonis.

[Celtics2021]

We lack the major draft pick to get it done without another bigger piece. I wonder if Rob Williams would do as that bigger piece. So Rob Williams, cap makeweight + two 1sts for D.Sabonis.

That’s a lot more than Vucevic got.  Williams >>> Carter Jr.

[CBS_Take a Report]

The construct of a deal can be referenced by previous transactions league wide but at the end of the day any executive worth their salt is going to look at situationally.

They are going to look at personnel and assets from trade partner and identify tier 1, 2 and 3 targets and build a dream scenario and multiple other scenarios (shoot for the moon you’ll land amongst the stars concept).

Dream targets*: Jaylen Brown, Rob Williams (upside/contract)

Dream -1 targets: Marcus Smart (intangibles)

Dream -2 targets: Langford, Nesmith, Pritchard

* Assuming Tatum is off limits.

Behind the above, draft picks (unprotected) and expiring salaries that can match packages (Horford, Schroder) is what helps get deals to the finish line.

The original posters package isn’t nearly enough for the spacers to consider given the assets we possess. Let’s take off the green tinted glasses.

[Moranis]

We lack the major draft pick to get it done without another bigger piece. I wonder if Rob Williams would do as that bigger piece. So Rob Williams, cap makeweight + two 1sts for D.Sabonis.

That’s a lot more than Vucevic got.  Williams >>> Carter Jr.

I don't think that is true at all

[Moranis]

I think they need Robert Williams from the C's and frankly I'd rather trade them Smart than Horford. 

Smart, Williams, 22 1st for Sabonis works.  Could also add in McConnell and Schroder if they want to move off his contract and then Boston gets a long term back-up/spot starter in McConnell.  Either way Boston does add some salary this year, but I think that is a cleaner trade that makes more sense.   Can still move Horford as well if the aim is to drop salary. 

[Celtics2021]

I think they need Robert Williams from the C's and frankly I'd rather trade them Smart than Horford. 

Smart, Williams, 22 1st for Sabonis works.  Could also add in McConnell and Schroder if they want to move off his contract and then Boston gets a long term back-up/spot starter in McConnell.  Either way Boston does add some salary this year, but I think that is a cleaner trade that makes more sense.   Can still move Horford as well if the aim is to drop salary.

That's fine and all, but that trade is nothing like the Vucevic trade which is what the rumor and idea are based on.

[Irish Stew]

We lack the major draft pick to get it done without another bigger piece. I wonder if Rob Williams would do as that bigger piece. So Rob Williams, cap makeweight + two 1sts for D.Sabonis.

Seems like a bit more realistic offer and one that might be more palatable to a team that probably isn't crazy about making a deal with the Celtics despite Danny's departure.