Celtics could surprisingly acquire Warriors megastar in massive trade

The Boston Celtics could shock the NBA this summer with a blockbuster three-team trade involving the Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors.

The proposed deal, as described in more detail by the author of this piece on Tuesday, would bring Warriors superstar Stephen Curry to Boston. 

Despite losing Jayson Tatum for the 2025-26 season, this trade could keep the Celtics competitive and entertaining next year.

The Trade  

• Celtics receive: Stephen Curry  
• Pistons receive: Jimmy Butler, 2025 No. 28 pick (BOS)  
• Warriors receive: Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis (expiring), Jaden Ivey (expiring), Tobias Harris (expiring), Isaiah Stewart

Celtics’ Perspective

Trading Jaylen Brown would end the Tatum-Brown era, but a Derrick White-Curry backcourt, alongside Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet (if re-signed), could still push for the playoffs in a weakened Eastern Conference.

A potential 2025-26 rotation of White, Curry, Holiday, Horford, and Kornet, with Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Xavier Tillman, and Neemias Queta off the bench, would remain formidable. 

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Curry’s star power would keep TD Garden packed, a priority for ownership without Tatum. When Tatum returns in 2026-27, a White-Curry-Tatum core, plus a new frontcourt piece, could form a championship contender. The end of Curry’s contract (2027) would free cap space for another star to pair with Tatum and White.

Warriors’ Perspective

Golden State would kickstart a rebuild, moving on from an aging core of Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green. Jaylen Brown becomes the cornerstone of a new era, with Jaden Ivey’s All-Star potential adding dynamism if he recovers from injury.

Isaiah Stewart brings needed size and grit, while Porzingis and Harris, on expiring deals, offer flexibility. The Warriors could also retain Jonathan Kuminga, creating a potent Brown-Kuminga wing duo.

Pistons’ Perspective

Detroit would pair Jimmy Butler with Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren, boosting their ceiling despite losing Isaiah Stewart. A lineup of Cunningham, Tim Hardaway Jr. (or Malik Beasley), Butler, Thompson, and Duren could compete for the Eastern Conference crown in 2025-26, though frontcourt depth would need addressing.

Losing Ivey and Harris, both on expiring deals, is manageable as Detroit prioritizes long-term contracts for Cunningham and Thompson.

More NBA: Warriors could surprisingly cut ties with 4-time All-Star in trade to Lakers