Let’s look at the trades that made the Boston Celtics the most dominant dynasty ever!
Fresh off a championship As the Boston Celtics approach the 2024 off-season, their roster seems set. However, the Celtics’ history of masterful trades, from Red Auerbach to Brad Stevens, has shaped their NBA-record 17 championships. Let’s explore the 10 greatest trades in Celtics history, showcasing the strategic moves that built a legendary franchise.
In 1956, Red Auerbach and Celtics owner Walter Brown executed one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history to acquire Bill Russell. To secure the No. 2 pick in the draft, Boston traded Hall of Famers Cliff Hagan and Ed Macauley to the Hawks and made a unique promise to loan the Ice Capades to Cincinnati so they wouldn't draft Russell. Initially, the trade seemed balanced, with the Hawks winning the 1958 title, but Russell’s 10 championships and five MVPs over the next 11 seasons made it a no-contest. This brilliant move became the greatest trade in Celtics history.
The 1980 NBA Draft showed Red Auerbach’s brilliance once again. Holding the No. 1 pick, the Celtics leveraged the league’s obsession with Joe Barry Carroll to secure the third overall pick and center Robert Parish from the Warriors. Boston then used the third pick to draft Kevin McHale, forming an iconic trio with Larry Bird. This shrewd move built the foundation for a dynasty, leading the Celtics to three NBA championships in the 1980s. Auerbach’s strategic foresight turned a single draft pick into two future Hall of Famers, establishing his reputation as a mastermind in NBA history.
The third-greatest trade in Boston Celtics history occurred in 2013, with effects still resonating today. Recognizing that Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were nearing the end of their careers and burdening the salary cap, the Celtics traded them, along with Jason Terry, to the Brooklyn Nets. In return, Boston received role players and, crucially, a trove of draft picks. These picks became Jaylen Brown (2016) and Jayson Tatum (2017), forming one of the NBA's best duos in the 2020s. This masterful trade transformed aging stars into the cornerstone of a bright future, marking the NBA’s most successful turnaround in two decades.
The 2007 trade between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics, centered around Kevin Garnett, was so lopsided that many accused Timberwolves executive Kevin McHale of colluding with his former team. Boston acquired Garnett without sacrificing franchise-altering assets, and he immediately delivered. In 2008, Garnett won NBA Defensive Player of the Year and was pivotal in leading the Celtics to their championship. Over six seasons in Boston, Garnett averaged 15.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game, earning five All-Star selections, four All-Defensive Team nods, and one All-NBA Team selection, affirming his legacy in Celtics history.
The legendary Kevin Garnett!
Kevin Garnett wasn’t the only blockbuster trade for the Celtics in 2007. On NBA Draft night, Boston acquired All-Star shooting guard Ray Allen, pairing him with Paul Pierce. This move ultimately convinced Kevin Garnett to join the Celtics weeks later. Though often viewed as the third option, Allen had many nights as the best player on the court. In his first season, Allen averaged 17.4 points on 39.8% shooting from three, earning another All-Star selection and helping Boston secure their first title since 1986. Over five seasons, Allen averaged 16.7 points, was a three-time All-Star, and won an NBA championship in 2008.
Other successful trades that deserve a mention include the trades of Dennis Johnson, Rajon Rando, Isaiah Thomas, and Kendrick Perkins.
