Hypothetical Celtics Trades to Boost Pursuit of 2024 NBA Title

The Boston Celtics seemingly have everything they need to compete for an NBA title.

But what if the next few months proves that their formula still isn't right?

Would a premature playoff exit spur them into making a major move? After all, Jaylen Brown could hit free agency in 2024, and he hasn't exactly married his future with the franchise's. If they make a lengthier postseason push, though, maybe a marginal move would suffice.

Either way, if the Shamrocks are looking for a championship boost this offseason, the following three moves might provide it.

Dealing from Depth to Fill a Need

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CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 06: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 06, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The Trade: Payton Pritchard to the Utah Jazz for Udoka Azubuike and two second-round picks

Payton Pritchard is a good player. The Celtics have seen him be a good player. They expect him to be a good player when they need him.

They just don't see this as reason enough to get him in the regular rotation. And, honestly, they shouldn't. They have one of the best backcourts around, which makes Pritchard something between an insurance policy and a luxury.

Boston could look to flip the scoring guard to beef up its frontcourt this summer.

Udoka Azubuike isn't necessarily an automatic upgrade on what the Celtics have, but that's where the two second-round picks come into play. It's possible, though, the 6'10", 280-pounder is, in fact, better than any big on Boston's bench. He hasn't played much in Utah, but that's mostly because of the players in front of him: first Rudy Gobert, now Walker Kessler. Azubuike has been productive whenever called upon, boasting career averages of 13.6 points, 12.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per 36 minutes, per Basketball-Reference, with a 75.7 field-goal percentage.

If Boston Decides to Trade Jaylen Brown...

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Dejounte Murray

The Trade: Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard and Danilo Gallinari to the Atlanta Hawks for Dejounte Murray, John Collins and a first-round pick

It's never easy to calculate the exact trade value of an established star like Brown. It's even harder still for the team trading away said star to bring back equal value.

This trade feels about right, though. Brown is awesome, but Pritchard is replaceable and Danilo Gallinari is 34 years old and rehabbing a torn ACL. In other words, Boston is sending out only one rotation player and bringing back two high-quality starters—one of whom has been an All-Star, the other who has previously put up All-Star-caliber stats—and an unprotected first-round pick.

Murray could basically function as a turbo-charged version of Marcus Smart, offering similarly relentless defense and loads more ability on the offensive end. Murray averaged 21.1 points, 9.2 assists, 8.3 rebounds and an NBA-best 2.0 steals last season. He hasn't had the smoothest transition to Atlanta, but he's still at 20.5 points, 6.1 assists (against 2.1 turnovers), 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals.

Collins, a player who's been on Boston's radar before, looks overdue for a scenery change and could really see his numbers spike if he finds one. The Hawks keep cutting into his usage, but when he was more heavily featured, he averaged 19.2 points on 56.8/40/81.9 shooting over the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.

One Star Wing for Another

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 18: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans is defended by Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of an NBA game at Smoothie King Center on November 18, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

The Trade: Jaylen Brown to the New Orleans Pelicans for Brandon Ingram

Star-for-star swaps almost never go down, but they sure are fun mental exercises, right?

The Celtics might need some draft compensation to account for Brandon Ingram's injury history, but in terms of talent, this feels pretty even.

Brown has the edge in defense and efficiency. Ingram is a better handler and shot-creator. There's a universe in which both Boston and New Orleans want more of what the other player offers.

Brown's defense and finishing might make him a more natural fit with Zion Williamson. Ingram's creation might force opposing defenses to pay less attention to Jayson Tatum.

This trade will never happen, but it's delicious food for thought.