Boston Chose Draft Flexibility Over Crawford's Scoring
The Celtics traded Jordan Crawford and MarShon Brooks to Golden State on January 15, 2014, accepting Joel Anthony, draft consideration and cash from Miami. Crawford had provided usable offense during an injury-affected season, but Boston was developing a longer-term roster and chose to turn two perimeter contracts into several future options. Anthony was an experienced reserve center who had played on Miami championship teams, yet his on-court role in Boston was secondary to the draft rights obtained alongside him.
The Protected Selection Ultimately Became Two Seconds
Part of Miami's compensation was a Philadelphia-origin protected first-round right that later converted into second-round selections. Those were associated with No. 33 Jordan Mickey in 2015 and No. 31 Deyonta Davis in 2016. Miami also sent a separate 2016 second tied to No. 51 Ben Bentil. The historic ledger should identify all three as second-round outcomes rather than misleadingly calling Mickey and Davis first-round selections. The rights may have moved again, so a named draftee doesn't establish a full Celtics playing career.
Golden State Took Two Guards While Miami Added Douglas
Golden State acquired Crawford and Brooks for backcourt and wing depth around its established offense. Crawford offered immediate shot creation; Brooks was a developmental scoring option whose place in the rotation was less certain. The Heat received Toney Douglas from Golden State, a meaningful incoming guard who had been omitted from the previous Boston-only asset record. Miami's aim included roster and tax flexibility, with Anthony's salary leaving the books. Neither receiving team obtained a proven new long-term franchise star through the agreement.
The Celtics Received the Wider Collection of Future Choices
The inherited Boston B+ rewards the conversion of two relatively short-term guard assets into a reserve center, cash and multiple draft rights. Golden State's B reflects Crawford's immediate perimeter utility, while Miami's C- corresponds with Douglas and financial considerations. These choices were made on different competitive timelines: Boston could hold or use selections, while the other two teams sought near-term roster changes. The corrected Miami incoming player and the second-round classifications make this three-party comparison more faithful to the real transaction.
Final Verdict
Slight Celtics Edge. Boston earns B+ for Joel Anthony, cash and the rights eventually associated with second-round picks Jordan Mickey, Deyonta Davis and Ben Bentil. Golden State receives B for adding Jordan Crawford and MarShon Brooks. Miami gets C- for Toney Douglas and improved roster flexibility. The Celtics acquired the broadest future package without actually receiving first-round players through the converted pick.