The 2018 30-team NBA mega-trade that solves nothing and makes everyone mad

Boston Celtics

Sending out: Marcus Morris (MIN), Abdel Nader (SAS)

Bringing in: Channing Frye (CLE)

As good as the Boston Celtics have been this season, their championship window doesn’t really open until Gordon Hayward is back on the court and healthy. They could legitimately win the Eastern Conference, especially with a little help. But there’s no sense sacrificing any future flexibility to get through the East now when they still aren’t quite sure what the roster will look like around Hayward.

This deal walks the middle-ground nicely — helping them this year with no real long-term sacrifices. Morris has been useful but he will be rendered increasingly obsolete by the development of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Semi Ojeleye and the return of Hayward next year. Nader has impressed in his D-League stints but the chances of him leapfrogging those other wings to earn a meaningful rotation role in the longterm seems slim.

Frye is on an expiring deal so there is no long-term cost here for Boston. The Celtics have some depth in the frontcourt with Aron Baynes and Daniel Theis, players whose rebounding and physicality have been very important to their defense. Frye may not play a huge role but his shooting — 38.8 career 3-point shooter — from the center position allows the Celtics to throw out different looks and juice their second-unit offense when they need it.