Boston Turned MarShon Brooks into Two Draft Opportunities
On June 23, 2011, New Jersey acquired No. 25 MarShon Brooks from Boston, while the Celtics obtained the draft rights to No. 27 JaJuan Johnson and a future 2014 second-rounder. The 2014 selection ultimately became No. 47, associated with Russ Smith. The Celtics' official announcement identifies both outgoing and incoming prospects and establishes that the transaction took place on draft night, before either rookie played in the NBA. Brooks had been a prolific Providence scorer, while Johnson offered power-forward size and had been Big Ten Player of the Year. New Jersey wanted a guard with scoring potential for its developing backcourt. Boston preferred to divide one late first-round slot into a young interior option and an additional future right.
Brooks Offered the More Immediate Nets Scoring
Brooks appeared in 56 games for the 2011-12 Nets and averaged 12.6 points, giving New Jersey an affordable source of offense in the lockout-shortened season. He attracted attention for his ability to create shots against NBA defenders, but never became the team's lasting primary guard. His later moves to Boston and other NBA franchises form separate asset histories. The Nets C inherited grade reflects that long-term limitation rather than a claim that he never played effectively after the swap. Brooks supplied meaningful NBA minutes immediately, which is more than Boston got from Johnson during the same season. That direct team-specific output deserves mention even if the historical assessment ultimately favors the Celtics' additional draft flexibility.
Johnson and the Later Second Were Modest Returns
Johnson played only 36 games for Boston in 2011-12, averaging 3.2 points, and did not develop into a long-term starting Celtics big man. The additional 2014 second-rounder gave Boston a separate asset that could be traded before it was exercised. Its eventual association with No. 47 Russ Smith is a draft-right identity, not a reason to attribute all of Smith's subsequent NBA production to the Celtics. The inherited C+ Boston grade is higher than New Jersey's C because two separate prospects were available from the deal. In terms of immediate playing time, however, Brooks supplied the stronger return. The difference between realized rookie offense and future selection value is essential to judging a draft-night exchange without overstating either outcome.
Final Verdict
Slight Celtics Edge. Boston earns C+ for JaJuan Johnson's No. 27 rights and a 2014 second tied to No. 47 Russ Smith. New Jersey gets C for MarShon Brooks, who averaged 12.6 points in 56 rookie games. The Nets had better immediate scoring, while Boston held two draft assets.