One of the most exciting times during the NBA season is the annual trade deadline. Around the halfway point, what teams are looking to add either for the short term or long term, while some teams will look to sell and hope for some good fortune in the NBA lottery.
Looking at the Boston Celtics, the illustrious franchise has been somewhat active at previous deadlines. Though not every trade at the time was viewed as a championship-defining move, some have turned out to be.
With that in mind, here are the Celtics' five best trade deadline deals in franchise history.
5. 2022: Reuniting with Daniel Theis
Celtics Received | Rockets Received |
|---|---|
- Daniel Theis | - Dennis Schröder |
At first glance, this trade might not seem all that impactful for the Celtics season. But looking deeper, this trade played a big role in the Celtics' future. After trading him at the prior season's deadline, Daniel Theis returned to Boston and gave them decent minutes as a reserve big for the team's run to the 2022 NBA Finals, as he averaged 4.3 points on 58.8% shooting and 3.3 rebounds off the bench in the playoffs.
This trade's impact also stems from surrounding moves. With many roster spots freed up, the Celtics promoted Sam Hauser to a full-time contract, while also bringing back Luke Kornet. Theis would eventually be traded to the Indianapolis Pacers for Malcolm Brogdon, who himself would be flipped later for Jrue Holiday. All of these players were a reason for the Celtics' 2024 NBA Championship run.
The main reason this trade ranks fifth is that Theis himself wasn't as big a factor as the future moves the deal helped create. With that said, for Brad Stevens' first trade deadline, he knocked it out of the park.
4. 2021: Luke Kornet's 1st Celtics Stint
Celtics Received | Wizards Received | Bulls Received |
|---|---|---|
- Luke Kornet | - Chandler Hutchison | - Troy Brown Jr. |
Who would have thought that when the Celtics acquired Luke Kornet at the 2021 trade deadline, he would've made as much of an impact as he did? Up to that point in his career, Kornet was just a stretch five who consistently struggled to hit threes and find a role with the team. Eventually, Kornet would find a new role as a pick-and-roll big and thrive in Boston, helping the team win Banner No. 18.
Even though he was a contributor to the Celtics' most recent championship roster, the trade ranks fourth because Kornet briefly left the team after the season. Early in the 2021-22 NBA season, Kornet played in three games combined for the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers before returning to Boston.
The trade ranks here because it helped the Celtics learn more about Kornet, which contributed to him returning to Boston for a multi-year run, beginning in February 2022.
3. 2004: The Pick that Paved the Way for Tony Allen
Celtis Received | Pistons Received | Hawks Received |
|---|---|---|
- Chucky Atkins | - Mike James | - Chris Mills |
Next up is a trade in which the Celtics best asset was a first-round pick. While Boston has made many trades for future firsts, this one happened at the deadline. Ultimately, this trade would help the Celtics win the NBA championship in 2008.
During the 2004 NBA draft, the Celtics used this pick to select Tony Allen, who would spend six years in Boston. Allen became the best defensive guard for the Celtics and was key during the 2008 championship run.
As impressive as that stint was, what keeps Allen from going any higher is that the next two players ahead of him were simply more impactful during their Celtics tenures.
2. 2015: The Legend of Isaiah Thomas Is Born
Celtics Received | Suns Received |
|---|---|
- Isaiah Thomas | - Marcus Thornton |
These last two trades were always going to be the top two; the tough part was figuring out which would get the top spot. In the end, the Isaiah Thomas trade comes in second.
During this period, the Celtics were still rebuilding following the 'Big 3' era and were looking to find a player they could build around. Enter Thomas. After trading for Thomas at the 2015 trade deadline, everything changed.
Thomas helped the Celtics make the playoffs and became the team's top player, eventually becoming an MVP candidate. He finished fifth in the award's 2016-17 race when he averaged 28.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 46.3% from the floor and 37.9% from deep in 76 starts.
Not only was Thomas' on-court play great, but he helped make the Celtics a team players wanted to play for, with the Celtics signing Al Horford in part to Thomas. Every game, Thomas gave it his all, and those teams were some of the best to watch.
What kept this trade from being the top one was that Thomas and Boston never won the championship together. While the Thomas era was extremely fun, and player-wise I'd give Thomas the edge, the next trade was one of the main reasons why the Celtics won the 2024 NBA Championship
1. Acquiring Derrick White for a Bargain
Celtics Received | Spurs Received |
|---|---|
- Derrick White | - Romeo Langford |
Just like with the Theis trade earlier, in his first trade deadline, Stevens struck gold with Derrick White. Since arriving in Boston, White has flourished, having the best seasons of his career, hitting clutch shots, and being one of the best defensive guards.
Adding White helped improve the team right away as they made the NBA Finals that season. As a starter in the following season, White really began to shine, averaging 12.4 points on .462/.381/.875 splits while his defensive talents helped him make the All-Defensive second team for the first time.
With the help of White, Boston went on to win the 2024 NBA Finals. Without him, who knows if the Celtics would have entertained the idea of trading Marcus Smart, which helped them land Kristaps Porzingis, who played a part in the latest title run, too.
Given his overall play and role in winning the 2024 title run, White is easily the best trade deadline acquisition in Celtics history. The astronomically low price that was paid to pull off the deal makes it even better, leaving time to tell if Boston will ever top this deal ahead of future deadlines.