The Boston Celtics should consider trading for LeBron James before February 6, and here’s why.
Acquiring LeBron wouldn’t sacrifice Boston’s ability to win a championship this season (or next season), even if it means giving up Jaylen Brown to get James.
If you think a core of Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Payton Pritchard wouldn’t be the clear favorite to win the 2025 NBA title, you’re crazy.
Trading Jaylen Brown to the Lakers would be strictly a strategic, salary cap move. Once LeBron retires (or once his contract expires after 2025-26), the Celtics would suddenly have another max slot open on their salary sheet.
With the cap space the Celtics would gain by moving off Brown’s contract, who knows what kind of genius roster moves Brad Stevens could make to keep Boston in the mix?
The Celtics are so good right now, but without a creative trade like this one to set themselves up better financially moving forward, they might become far too capped out in the next few years.
Keeping White, Tatum, (and possibly Porziņģis) on board long-term while getting younger and staying flexible is a path toward sustained contention.
To get LeBron, the Celtics would have to involve a third team with cap space (let’s say the Detroit Pistons) to take on a minimum-level contract from the Lakers in exchange for a second-rounder.
For example, LeBron to Boston, Brown to the Lakers, and Bronny James to the Pistons would work money-wise.
Many Celtics fans will say that this trade is beyond preposterous, but on the contrary, the new collective bargaining agreement will make it extremely difficult for Boston to continually re-build a contender around Tatum and Brown.
Moving off of Brown and putting together the assets to soon acquire a superstar (via the draft or trade) in his early twenties would be a smart move if the Celtics want to contend for all of Tatum’s career and beyond.
More NBA: Warriors predicted to land Anthony Davis by forking over massive trade package
