Brad Stevens is headed for the honor roll.
The Celtics deal for Malcolm Brogdon is receiving high grades from outlets that grade trades. The Pacers are largely getting good reviews as well.
Here’s a sampling:
Celtics Grade: A-
Synopsis: “The Celtics landing Brogdon weeks after losing in the NBA Finals -- and doing so without giving up any of their top eight players in playoff minutes -- is an incredible outcome.
Down the road, there is some concern that Celtics ownership will pull back spending after the excitement of a surprise Finals run wears off and adding Brogdon will foreclose other options to the team -- particularly if his trade value suffers in his 30s. Still, Boston’s title window is open now and adding Brogdon improves the chances of Boston hanging an 18th banner at TD Garden.”
Pacers Grade: B
Synopsis: “Once the New York Knicks (Jalen Brunson) and Washington Wizards (Monte Morris) filled their needs for starting point guards, the market for Brogdon surely contracted substantially. Although this deal doesn’t yield the kind of draft-pick compensation the Pacers were probably hoping for, I understand getting value for Brogdon while it’s there.”
Celtics Grade: A
Synopsis: “Wanting to ensure their Finals run was no fluke and that a lack of playmaking wouldn’t bite them again when it matters most, the Celtics acquired Malcolm Brogdon, the best point guard rumored to be available on the trade market. It’s an ideal addition to a team that wanted more offensive punch without having to sacrifice anything on the defensive end (their great strength and fundamental identity).”
Pacers Grade: C+
Celtics Grade: A-
Synopsis: “The fact the Celtics were able to add two proven veterans in Brogdon, 29, and Gallinari, 33, without having to part with any of their core pieces is a major coup for them. They already appear to be deeper -- and potentially better -- than they were last season.
This is one of those deals that makes sense for both teams, and one that both sides could feel good about. The Celtics get to bolster their roster which is clearly built to win now, while the Pacers add a valuable asset as they look to build back into a contender in the Eastern Conference.
This move is a no-brainer for the Celtics, who get a legitimate playoff rotation piece in Brogdon in exchange for proverbial pennies. They won’t miss any of the players they traded, and while no team likes to part with first-round picks, those are the types of moves that contending teams need to make in order to improve. It’s not like the pick is going to be too high anyway.”
Pacers Grade: B-
Synopsis: From the Pacers’ perspective, the move is a prudent one. They’re not positioned to truly contend as currently constructed, so they get a first-rounder back in exchange for a veteran player who probably didn’t have a long-term future with the franchise.
Celtics Grade: A
Synopsis: Over his three seasons with the Indiana Pacers, Brogdon averaged 6.3 assists and 1.9 threes while shooting 35.2 percent from three.
His willingness to move the ball and ability to space the floor make him a seamless fit. The potential problem, of course, is his availability (or lack thereof). He’s averaged fewer than 50 games a season with Indiana.
But for two fringe rotation players, three wild cards and a first-round pick that figures to be in the 20s, Brogdon is worth the risk.”
Pacers Grade: B+
“The Pacers, meanwhile, likely canvased the league for the best offers for Brogdon. If this is the best they could get, great. Waiting for the trade deadline could’ve helped, but it also might’ve backfired.”
Yahoo didn’t do Trade Grades, but winners and losers from the first days of free agency. Among its losers were “Fringe Eastern Conference contenders” because:
“After sitting out the first night of free agency, Celtics executive Brad Stevens swiftly signed veteran sharpshooter Danilo Gallinari for the taxpayer midlevel exception and traded Daniel Theis, Aaron Nesmith and their 2023 first-round draft pick to the Indiana Pacers for former Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon.
Within hours on Friday, Stevens addressed two of the depth issues that cost Boston a title this past season. Gallinari is a big wing who can ease the regular-season pressure on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, saving their energy for the playoffs, and Brogdon can run the offense if his teammates are dying on the vine, committing turnover after turnover. Both Gallinari and Brogdon can also shoot the lights out, combining to make 38% of their 9.3 combined 3-point attempts per game over the course of their careers.”
Ad Choices