Boston Exchanged Two Veterans for Crawford's Scoring
The Celtics acquired Jordan Crawford from Washington at the February 21, 2013 deadline, sending Jason Collins and Leandro Barbosa to the Wizards. Barbosa had suffered a season-ending ACL injury before the trade, leaving Washington with little chance of immediately replacing Crawford's offense through him. Collins was an experienced reserve center rather than a high-volume scorer. Boston had been dealing with injury-related holes in its backcourt and wanted another player capable of creating a shot without depending entirely on its established veterans.
Crawford Offered Scoring and Later Trade Utility
Crawford could handle the ball and make difficult shots, sometimes at the expense of offensive efficiency. Boston used him through the final part of 2012-13 and into the following season, when his role expanded during the club's transition after its veteran core broke up. He didn't become the Celtics' long-term starting guard, but they were able to use him in competitive games and later include him in another transaction. That was considerably more basketball utility than Boston could have expected from retaining an injured Barbosa and a seldom-used Collins.
Washington's Return Didn't Deliver Much Immediate Offense
Washington had its own reason for moving Crawford: his shot-first approach no longer fit the guard rotation as John Wall returned from injury. Collins could add situational size and veteran guidance, but he was not acquired to replace the outgoing guard's points. Barbosa remained unavailable to play because of his knee injury, making his receiving-team production effectively zero. The trade helped the Wizards shift their roster structure and priorities, yet their return was weaker in terms of active contributors than the one Boston obtained.
The Specific Player Situations Explain the Grade Gap
A transaction involving two veterans for one scorer may look balanced by head count, but the context of those contracts changes the analysis. One Washington arrival was injured for the season; the other had a narrow reserve role. Boston actually obtained usable perimeter offense and held Crawford as an asset for later maneuvering. This wasn't a franchise-changing trade, and Crawford's inconsistent shot selection came with costs. Still, the Celtics received the clearer combination of playing minutes and future flexibility, supporting the verdict without overstating the player's ceiling.
Final Verdict
Celtics Win. Boston earns B+ for acquiring Jordan Crawford, whose scoring and subsequent trade utility helped a backcourt facing injuries and transition. Washington receives C for Jason Collins's limited reserve value and Leandro Barbosa's inability to play after his ACL injury. The Wizards achieved a roster reset, but the Celtics obtained the stronger direct player return.