This proposed four-team trade sends Buddy Hield to the Mavericks and Kevin Porter Jr. to the Boston Celtics.
The Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics are both teams that are trying to compete in the now. They both have two star/superstar-caliber player levels on their rosters, and all they need is a few other pieces to truly be in talks as legitimate threats to win the championship.
Perhaps a multi-team trade can help them acquire these pieces. Our proposed trade scenario involves the Indiana Pacers and the Houston Rockets on top of the aforementioned teams, and it would send Buddy Hield and Robert Williams to the Mavericks, and Kevin Porter Jr. to the Celtics.
Proposed Blockbuster 4-Team Trade Sends Buddy HieldAnd Robert Williams To Mavericks, Kevin Porter Jr. To CelticsRead More
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Buddy Hield, Robert Williams
Boston Celtics Receive: Kevin Porter Jr., 2028 Second-Round Pick (MIA via DAL)
Indiana Pacers Receive: Christian Wood, Payton Pritchard
Houston Rockets Receive: Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green
This trade has some potential appeal for all four teams involved. Though multi-team trades are usually extremely difficult to execute, this is one that has a realistic reason for each team to follow through with the deal. Let’s dive into why each team should make this trade.
The Dallas Mavericks Receive Two Veterans That Fill Needs Around The Roster
In this trade, the Dallas Mavericks would receive two quality veterans who could help them on their quest to win a championship. Buddy Hield is an elite 3PT shooter, and Robert Williams is a mobile big man who can also protect the rim. Both those players can play key roles on the Mavericks.
As of right now, the Dallas Mavericks don’t have a quality No. 3 option behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Perhaps Buddy Hield could fill that role were he to be traded to Dallas. This past season, Buddy Hield averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists for the Indiana Pacers. He can create his own shot effectively from the 3PT range, and his off-ball ability suggests he will be a fantastic fit next to two ball-dominant stars.
Robert Williams is an elite defensive center, who doesn’t require many touches to be successful. He has a unique s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 set: due to his mobility, he can guard all five positions, but also has an uncanny ability to block shots. Williams would immediately become the best center option on the Mavericks. Robert Williams averaged 8.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game for the Celtics last season while shooting 74.7% from the field.
There’s no doubt that this deal would be a no-brainer for the Mavericks, even if Buddy Hield is on an expiring contract. They would give up minimal value, for players that could immediately help them win.
The Boston Celtics Acquire A Quality Guard
Even though Kevin Porter Jr. isn’t necessarily a top-tier point guard, he is still a starting-level player who has talent and playmaking ability. This past season, Kevin Porter Jr. averaged 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game, while shooting 36.6% from 3PT range. Perhaps he could become the starting-level point guard that the team needs right now.
Though the Boston Celtics would have to give up Robert Williams and Payton Pritchard in this deal, that isn’t necessarily a huge loss for the team. They already have Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford on the roster already so Williams’ loss is less impactful, and Pritchard wasn’t necessarily a huge member of the rotation anyhow.
This deal means the Boston Celtics would be taking a risk on Kevin Porter Jr.’s talent for a relatively low cost. His ability makes it worth it, and he could be the missing piece for them to win a championship.
The Indiana Pacers Add A Talented Big Man
Though Christian Wood has not been signed yet, he is a talented big man with 3PT shooting ability. He would be a solid player to add to the Indiana Pacers and would make a dynamic frontcourt with Myles Turner. This past season, Christian Wood averaged 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 37.6% from 3PT range.
The other piece of this deal involves Payton Pritchard. The point guard would likely serve as a backup to Tyrese Haliburton, but even that would be more opportunity than he has been offered on the Boston Celtics. Pritchard is a quality 3PT shooter, and could potentially showcase his abilities in a bigger role.
Buddy Hield could leave at the end of the 2023-24 season, and if he doesn’t sign an extension with the franchise, the right move would be to trade him. Christian Wood and Payton Pritchard make a solid return for a player on an expiring contract, and we’ll see what happens in the future.
The Houston Rockets Add A Sixth Man And A 3 And D Guard
The Houston Rockets are a team that is clearly trying to compete for a playoff position, as evidenced by their signings of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. Adding more win-now players seems like the right move for the franchise and they would be able to get two rotational pieces simply by moving Kevin Porter Jr. to the Celtics.
Tim Hardaway Jr. would likely come off the bench for the Houston Rockets, as the team already has Jalen Green as the starting shooting guard. However, he could clearly play as a spark plug off the bench, and he averaged 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists for the Mavericks.
Josh Green is a decent 3 and D player who can play a complementary role next to high-usage players. He would largely play off-ball on the Houston Rockets, which is the perfect role for him going forward.
Kevin Porter Jr. doesn’t necessarily make sense for the Rockets, as they just signed Fred VanVleet to a huge contract. It would be smart for the team to trade him, and this would be a decent enough return to move him.
This Trade Makes Sense For All Four Teams
This deal clearly makes the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks better teams, while the Indiana Pacers and the Houston Rockets would get solid pieces in return for their players. This is a rare multi-team deal in which everyone comes out on top.
It remains to be seen if the teams in this trade will make a deal like this in the future. It is definitely something they should consider, and we’ll see what ends up happening before the start of the season.