Could the Celtics swap backcourts with Houston if they threw in a few picks?
Houston does this primarily to give their owner salary relief (Wall’s contract is about 7m per year more than Kemba and each have 2 years after this one on their deal) plus they get out from under Gordon’s long term contract, which is about 3.5m per year more than Smart and 2 years longer. They can then flip Smart to one of the contenders that would value him for future picks. Netting several picks, while not likely to ever be lottery picks, would also help to partially undo the disaster plus Westbrook trade and jump start the rebuild they need. Plus financially, starting a rebuild in a pandemic may have value as the delta in ticket sale revenue would be lower (although depending on how bad his finances really are, Fertitta may value the immediate/short term cash flows).
The Celtics get Wall and Gordon. Wall is clearly an on-court upgrade on Kemba at this point, and at least pre-injury he was a great defensive player (all defensive second team 6 years ago). Gordon would hopefully see his 3pt% go up with JT and JB setting him up for open looks. It also provides them with a talent upgrade while maintaining the full Hayward TPE for the offseason, and staying under the luxury tax this year.
There is obviously the risk for the Celtics that Wall (same age as Kemba) similarly breaks down and they are stuck with an even bigger albatross going forward
Danny can also kick in some of the Celtics recent mid to late round firsts (not PP) depending on how Houston values financial relief vs. young unproven talent.
Not sure who else would have the salary match and the desire to trade for Wall, so despite how well he is playing, probably not much of a trade market for him.