It's pretty safe to assume that the Miami Heat has gotten the best of the Boston Celtics this offseason. Not only did they beat them to the Giannis Antetokounmpo punch, but, especially after watching what the Celtics got in exchange for Jaylen Brown in a blockbuster deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, Heat fans can only be left laughing.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Celtics traded Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks. That's it.
Considering there were whispers just a couple of weeks ago that Brown could help headline a trade package for Giannis, this would be the essence of getting pennies on the dollar for an All-Star player. Add in the fact that the Celtics traded Brown to an in-conference rival, and this trade is absolutely shocking.
Heat has gotten the best of their bitter rival this summer
It's tough to comprehend this unimpressive return that the Celtics just got, but, again, the Heat has to feel awfully good about their ability to improve their roster this summer while Boston appears very much in a state of crisis.
That was the sense even before the Brown trade. But now, that's even more the case. Because of the way the rest of the Eastern Conference has improved, the Celtics are in the midst of a building crisis around Jayson Tatum.
Even though many were quick to tear down Brown's importance and effectiveness on the Celtics, his production is not going to be easily replaced. You'd have to imagine that Brad Steven and the Celtics have another move up their sleeve, but it's hard to fully embrace the thinking behind what they're doing right now.
Either way, on the other hand, this is good news all around for the Heat.
The Heat will benefit from this huge step back from Boston
With this move, the Celtics appear as if they're likely to take a significant step back in the Eastern Conference next season. That is exactly what Heat fans want to hear, especially after their big move earlier this summer.
Theoretically, there appears to be one less favorite that the Heat will have to battle against. Sure, it's very early in the offseason, but the Heat have to be liking their chances even more after their big move for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The front office still has some heavy lifting to do on their end, but this white-flag-raising type of move from the Celtics is certainly something that Heat fans will get a good laugh at. Especially after beating them out for Giannis.
Brown going from the centerpiece of a Giannis trade that was going to break the heart of Heat fans to being traded for PG and picks is quite the turn of events. The likes of which will give Heat fans a good chuckle.
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