The Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers are two teams having disappointing 2021-22 seasons so far. As a result, both franchises have been in the trade talk bubble, particularly with respect to their stars Jaylen Brown and Domantas Sabonis, respectively. The Celtics have, for the most part, underperformed this season. They are two games below .500 at 17-19 and are at 9th in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics technically still have a shot at the postseason via the play-in tournament. But with the way they are trending right now, this certainly isn't the direction they saw for themselves when they made the Eastern Conference Finals just a couple of seasons ago. Perhaps they need a change and that change may be a split of the Jayson Tatum – Jaylen Brown tandem.
Meanwhile, the Pacers have made public their intent to move towards a rebuild and conduct a fire sale by putting guys such as Myles Turner, Caris LeVert, and even All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis available on the trade block. Indiana is at 14-22 on the season. Tearing the house down may be their best bet to make it back to relevance over these next few years.
With the situation of both Boston and Indiana, does a swap between the two young All-Stars make sense for both squads?
Does it make sense for the Celtics?
This Celtics' roster looks a lot better than its record suggests. They have two young All-Star studs in Tatum and Brown, with proven veterans in Al Horford and Marcus Smart. On paper, they certainly look like a top-4 team in the Eastern Conference. However, things just have not clicked with this squad this season.
With that, many fans and analysts are proposing the Celtics to break up the Tatum and Brown duo. Those advocating for that move say that the two wings overlap too much in play style and Boston may be better off with someone who brings something else to the table. If the Celtics are trading anyone between Tatum and Brown, it would most likely be the latter.
With that said, will the Celtics be willing to part ways with their two-way star if it means bringing in a talented offensive big man like Domantas Sabonis? Bringing in the second-generation star definitely gives Boston a different look as they acquire a legitimate offensive option down low. Domantas Sabonis somewhat offers what Al Horford already provides, but with more offense and less defense. They do somewhat overlap as well, but having two passing big men on the floor at times could help boost Boston's 20th ranked offense.
The addition of Sabonis also gives Boston a reliable three big man rotation, with Horford and Robert Williams already aboard. Williams and Horford are both great defenders and they should be able to cover Sabonis' shortcomings on that end of the floor.
Losing Brown's two-way ability will certainly be a huge blow. But this at least gives them a fresh look at something different.
Does it make sense for the Pacers?
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers have been ripe for a trade over these last couple of years. This team has been trending in the wrong direction, thus it definitely makes sense for them hit the reset button, especially since they do have a new coach in Rick Carlisle.
Specifically, fans and analysts have clamored for Indiana to split up their big man tandem of Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner. If the Pacers are going to ask for Brown in a trade with the Celtics, Sabonis would have to be the guy they need to send back to Boston.
Ever since Paul George's departure, Indiana has been devoid of a legitimate star wing they could build around. Brown could be that guy for them as they usher in a new era. It would definitely be an intriguing prospect to think about the 2016 3rd overall pick having his own team. He has shown flashes of being the main guy in Boston at times, but the shared responsibility with Tatum limits his ceiling.
Ideally, the Pacers may want to get future assets if their intent is to rebuild. Brown wouldn't necessarily move their needle in any direction, as he is pretty much in the same timeline as Domantas Sabonis. They would not be worse off with Brown aboard, but their ceiling in the long term wouldn't go too high as well.
If the Pacers don't want to go into a full rebuild and just want to retool, acquiring someone like Jaylen Brown makes sense. His upside is much higher and could turn into one of the best two-way forces in the league if unleashed. But if their intent is to get near the bottom of the league and build their way through the draft, they may be better off finding a more future-oriented deal elsewhere.
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