The Boston Celtics are one of the greatest NBA teams of all time, having won 16 championships. This figure, which ties the LA Lakers for first place, is the highest for any organisation. This article will examine the five worst deals ever made by the NBA franchise Boston Celtics.
NBA franchise Boston Celtics:
#5 Kenny Anderson trade
Chauncey Billups and Dee Brown were traded to the Celtics in exchange for Kenny Anderson, Popeye Jones, and Zan Tabak. Billups, the third overall pick in the first round, was a young player at the time, and the Celtics traded him away because they felt under pressure to start winning right away.
Unfortunately for the team, Billups had a successful career after that and even joined the Detroit Pistons, where he won an NBA title and was awarded the Finals MVP. What’s worse is that Kenny Anderson was finally sent away after having some terrific years in Boston. He was dealt to Seattle by the Celtics together with Vitaly Potapenko, Joseph Forte, and Vin Baker in exchange for Vin Baker and Shammond Williams.
#4 Antoine Walker trade
In 2003, the Boston Celtics dealt Dallas Mavericks superstar Antoine Walker for Raef LaFrentz, Jiri Welsch, and Chris Mills. Sadly for the team, the players they received in exchange proved to be little more than props.
Raef LaFrentz was a disastrous contract for the Boston Celtics as if this weren’t bad enough already. His seven-year, $70 million contract was in its second year. It is argued that the Dallas Mavericks’ offloading of this player to the Celtics was their worst free agent signing in franchise history.
#3 Joe Johnson trade
The Boston Celtics dealt Tony Delk and Rodney Rodgers to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Joe Johnson, Randy Brown, and Milt Palacio in 2002. In retrospect, this was a horrible choice because Joe Johnson went on to establish himself as a franchise player and earn the moniker “Iso Joe” for his exceptional scoring skills.
Johnson averaged over 20 points per game five times throughout his career and at one point was selected to five consecutive All-Star teams. During their time with the Celtics, Tony Delk and Rodney Rodgers were merely supporting cast members.
#2 Kendrick Perkins trade
The Celtics acquired Jeff Green and Nenad Kristic through the deal of Nate Robinson and Kendrick Perkins. This was one of the transactions in the league at the time that received the most attention. Green gave the Celtics some offensively talented young legs, but Perkins was lost as their defensive backbone. They were exposed in the playoffs because their inside defence was severely weakened. The Boston Celtics had won a championship in 2008 while Perkins was a member of the team.
But after he went, the Celtics lost their identity. And the other players eventually fell apart as well, ending their brief reign. It is impossible to predict how the Celtics’ history would have turned out if Perkins had been maintained.
#1 Draft Kelly Olynyk
In the 2013 NBA Draught, the Boston Celtics made their worst trade error. They had the 15th overall pick when the draught began, but they made a deal to get the 13th. The problem was not so much who they missed out on as it was who they chose with the 13th overall choice.
Kelly Olynyk, a Gonzaga player, was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 13th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draught. Olynyk played for the Celtics for four seasons, averaging a middling 9.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. He was essentially a backup player throughout his brief time with the team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was selected by the Bucks as the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draught. Just two slots below Kelly Olynyk were available for selection. The Celtics would probably have a title to show for it by now if this had been a potentially pivotal moment for the team. Giannis Antetokounmpo has made six All-Star appearances, won two league MVP awards, and won the NBA Finals MVP award. One of the Celtics’ worst draughts and deals, to say the least.
So, this was all about the NBA franchise Boston Celtics. Also read, #TB Phil Jackson reveals funny story of NBA legend Shaq.
