Boston gets: Eric Gordon, Russ Smith and pelicans 2016 pick
New Orleans gets: Jeff Green, Gerald Wallace
Why for Boston: get yet another pick and get rid of Wallace's contract and Eric Gordon can opt out after this year, even if he doesn't he is a huge expiring contract next year that can be combined with picks in an offseason move. If he doesn't opt out and stays healthy could end up being a good bench player.
Why for New Orleans: they want to make the playoffs this year and Gerald Wallace will give them a great veteran presence and even defend in spots if need be. They also get a legitimate starting small forward in Green which they desperately need.
What do you think?
Gordon is not opting out after this year. No way he finds someone to give him even half of what he is scheduled to earn.
New Orleans can't trade it's 2016 pick for two reasons.
1. It is tied up in the protection on the 2015 pick they sent to Houston even though that pick would convey in 2015 if the season ended today.
2. Even if the 2015 pick is conveyed in 2015, the 2016 pick couldn't be traded according to the Stepien rule.
I think the only way they can trade a pick right now and guarantee to have it convey by 2021 would be to trade a pick with the language that it would be the pick two seasons after the pick they owe Houston is transferred. The Lakers used similar language to trade a pick to Orlando while having picks tied up in protection after sending a protected pick to Phoenix. This would mean, as of today, it would be a 2017 pick.
That said, we are basically trading Green for a 1st and taking on a worse contract in the Gordon/Wallace swap. I don't think that the Celtics will be able to get more than that for Green. Some people overrate his value and will be disappointed.
I'd probably do this. If we really need the cap space, Gordon is only about 1.5M per season more than Wallace for the next three seasons if we were to stretch them both.
