Yes, I know it’s funny I’m reviewing a Boston Celtics trade that sent Glen Davis to the Orlando Magic for Brandon Bass over a decade ago. And yes, I know this trade means virtually nothing to 99.9% of the fans of either NBA team. And yes, it’s funny that all the players involved in this trade were born in Louisiana. So why is this the NBA trade I decided to review this week? It’s simple.
The first ever Celtics game I attended was on May 21, 2012. This was Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the No. 8 seed Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics won by a final score of 101-85. And the game’s leading scorer? Yes, you guessed it – Bass with 27 points. This home playoff game had Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo on the team. And the leading scorer was a former second-round pick who was barely the fifth option. It was funny then, and it’s funny now.
So why is this all relevant? It’s because I will forever have the fun fact that Bass was the leading scorer of the first Celtics game I ever attended – something I doubt many other people can say. Because of this, the least I could do as an eternal Bass fan is reflect on how we got here in the first place over 11 years later.
(Also, for those curious, the Celtics won the series in seven games before getting eliminated by the eventual-champion Miami Heat.)
Boston Celtics Trade Review #14: Glen Davis for Brandon Bass
Full Trade Details
Boston Celtics receive: Brandon Bass
Orlando Magic receive: Glen Davis and Von Wafer
Brandon Bass Was Solid in Boston
Make no mistake: Bass was a great big man for the Celtics. Bass averaged 10.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in four seasons in Boston. Bass started all but one postseason game he appeared in and was a regular starter for the Celtics. Additionally, Bass was one of the final holdovers from the “Big Three” era before the Isaiah Thomas era of Celtics basketball. Bass was never an All-Star and averaged a career 8.7 points per game, but he played his best basketball with the Celtics.
In 2015, Bass left Boston to sign a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. After an uneventful 2015-16 season, Bass stayed in the City of Angels as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, reuniting him with former head coach Doc Rivers. Bass played just one season for the team before signing a deal to play in China.
Glen Davis’ Post-Celtics Career
Davis went to the Orlando Magic through a sign-and-trade, ending a four-season Celtics tenure. Ultimately, Davis played parts of three seasons with the Magic and started a little more than half the games he played. He also had a monster 33-point game in 2013, a career-high for “Big Baby.” In his Magic career, the 2008 champion averaged 11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. The Magic waived Davis in February 2014. A few days later, Davis became a member of the Clippers, reuniting him with Rivers.
What About Von Wafer?
For the 1% of those who care about Wafer’s post-Celtics career, there’s not much to discuss. Wafer played in just 33 games for the Magic and started one of them. During the 2011-12 season, the Florida State alum averaged 5.9 points per game, shooting 45.2% from the field. A year after the trade, Wafer started playing overseas and never returned to the NBA.
The Last Word on the Boston Celtics Trade
In my eyes, this is Danny Ainge’s greatest trade he’s ever made with the Boston Celtics, and I still wait for the day the team decides to retire Bass’ No. 30. I’m just joking. Sort of.
In all seriousness, Bass was a good starter with the Celtics. He was never going to be the best player on the court (except for in the playoffs, apparently), but his toughness and almost automatic mid-range jumper made it fun to root for him.
Verdict: If it really matters, the Celtics got a good one in Bass for a departing Davis and a guy who celebrated a missed dunk in an overtime loss once.
