Tuesday’s blockbuster trade between the Cavaliers and Celtics is unlike anything we’ve ever seen in NBA history. Boston gave up an All-Star point guard, another starter, and a potential lottery pick for the chance to acquire another All-Star point guard.
It took a perfect storm of bizarre circumstances to get here, but there’s a good case for why the move helps both teams long-term. Cleveland gives themselves much-needed flexibility on how to approach life without LeBron if he leaves next summer, and Boston finally gets a foundational star they can build a long-term future around.
In that sense, both teams won the trade.