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Kristaps Porzingis Is The Wiser Trade Target For Ainge, NOT Anthony Davis. Here's Why.

Now let me be very clear from the beginning before I go on further: Both of these players are likely long shots and even if either (or both) are traded, it won't be until next summer at the earliest. And both will cost A TON in assets (understandably), that is obvious.

Okay, now that I have acknowledged that, let me explain why out of the two, Celtics fans should be "realistically" looking at Porzingis and not Davis. Anthony Davis is a HOF-Talent, and definitely the better of the two as of now.

But here's the problem, Anthony Davis is signed to a BIG contract right now (5 Years/127M - Approximately 27M/Year left on it), and matching salaries will be DIFFICULT. Now I know what many people will say, "Trade Horford to make salaries match". But I think trading our first marquee FA-Signing in franchise history within 2 years will paint a REALLY BAD picture of Boston. Future FA's will be hesitant and the Isaiah trade already came at a shock to many, now imagine if they dealt Horford too (loyalty? what loyalty?). Is it a business? Absolutely. But it still looks bad when it's your first marquee FA in FRANCHISE HISTORY.

THAT to me is the biggest complexity in making a Davis trade (^). Even if you manage to do it without Horford, it would include Tatum, Brown, MOST of our bench, Lakers Pick + more future picks. YIKES... we become the Pelicans with a few stars but no bench and less draft picks going forward.

Meanwhile, Porzingis is currently still on his rookie contract, so matching salaries wouldn't be a problem, and he is also 2 years younger than AD (LOTS of room to grow). Reality is, the Knicks are a dumpster fire and will actually be WORSE once Carmelo is (finally) dealt. Porzingis skipped his exit meeting months ago and was extremely frustrated with the Knicks. Now maybe that was just beef with Phil Jackson solely and now Phil is gone. But guess what. Dolan still exists, and the Knicks FO is still really bad. No way the Knicks are contending anytime soon (even with KP), and they don't seem to have any direction or way to build a contending team around KP.

Another atrocious start next year and a bad season overall could push KP to "pull a Kyrie" and demand out of NYK. Now I understand the Knicks could really hesitate to deal KP to a divisional team (Boston), but Boston still has a lot to offer than most other teams, and here's hoping the "lure of Kyrie" can help us out too.

This also allows us to KEEP Horford, and I think having a saavy, durable veteran in Horford can be big for us in the playoffs until his contract ends, and even then Horford strikes me as someone who would be willing to re-sign cheap if Boston is at the point where they are legitimately contending for banners (and hopefully Warriors dominance ends as they can't sustain their entire team - luxury tax issues).

Also, I question AD's desire to win, as despite the transcendental talent he is, he hasn't led the Pelicans far in recent years and some have questioned whether he tries hard enough on defense at times (it's come up some games over the years). Of course, the Pelicans are a WILD CARD team in that they could be good enough to make a 6-8 seed in the loaded West (Cousins-AD experiment goes relatively well), or it blows up in their face and they are a bad team and Cousins is dealt for value as he's a rental too. Then Davis can demand a trade too next summer, as by then he will have just 2 years left on his deal (because we know he isn't opting in to his 3rd year and so Pelicans may see the Butler and George trades bringing back less and deciding "now is the time" if things go real sour).

I think both Davis and KP will cost a TON in a trade (obviously, and I've stated this above), but I think given how they've played in recent years, Davis right now is obviously the better player and will cost more than KP, so maybe in a KP deal we can keep an asset (or two) whereas for Davis we may have to give up everything (picks, bench, etc.). Mannix even said earlier that to acquire AD would probably require the "biggest package in NBA history", and the C's already overpaid for Kyrie (partially because of Isaiah's injury), so the treasure chest isn't as big anymore (though it can still be enough to formulate maybe one more deal for a star).

So lots to look forward to next season, but I'm sure we can all agree the C's are one star away from legitimately contending for Banner 18 (preferably that star is a young PF/C), and obviously KP and AD will be the names we hear a lot. Here's to hoping the Knicks and Pelicans are dumpster fires next season (but also a tad bit better than Lakers LOL)!

Thoughts? Sorry if this is way too long but I hope this explains my viewpoint better!

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