2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[SleepingHero]

So OKC likes to be a facilitator. They definitely want to move Horford to a new home. I could see a scenario where Celtics want to move off of Kemba and bring back Horford home. They have a very high payroll. They would also probably like to move off of Thompson who hasn't worked out well there.

Knowing Donnie I could see him having interest in 2 yrs of Kemba, flaws and all if he is getting him cheap in terms of assets (namely no THJ, J Rich coming back). The trade would be something like Kemba, Thompson to Dallas, Horford to Celtics, Powell, WCS to OKC (and J Rich if he opts in).

Celtics would get a better fitting player in Horford plus free up money to resign Fournier (who had a terrible debut but could be a fit) and dump Thompson. Dallas would get a 2 year rental of Kemba, going pretty heavy in the "offensive" direction for the time being. Thompson would be more useful as a third big in Dallas and would also be expiring.

OKC would clean up their salary rolls some and find a home for Horford, plus likely pick up some 2nds along the way.

I know this board would hate it but your rotation would be Luka, Kemba, DFS, Maxi, KP with Brunson, Thompson as key reserves and maybe Green, Melli joining the rotation. They would be operating under the cap so would have a room exception as well.

I want to bring this up again because I think this is an excellent observation and a great reading of the tea leaves. It's obvious the Mavs want another playmaker next to Luka. OKC is for sure going to send Al somewhere and BOS loved him. They're desperate and are praying for a competent big guy. The Kemba+Smart pairing hasn't turned out to work at all and add in Kemba's health issues I can see BOS cutting him loose quick.

Mavs also had BIG interest in Kemba in the past, so it'd make sense they'd play 3rd team and take him off BOS hands. Kemba also fits incredibly well next to Luka and could be that secondary playmaker we're all pining for. 

This hypothetical makes too much sense to the point I'd even brand it as a likely event to happen this summer.