NBA trade grades - Who wins the three-team trade sending Bryn Forbes to the Nuggets?

What was the motivation for the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs to make the three-team trade reported Tuesday by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski?

The move includes four players, none of whom is a starter and two of whom are currently sidelined by injuries (Denver's Bol Bol and P.J. Dozier, both headed to the Celtics). Naturally, much of the rationale for this deal is financial. By taking back two players on minimum contracts, Boston moves a step closer to avoiding the luxury tax this season.

From the Nuggets' perspective, this is a win-now move. Because of Denver's multiple long-term injuries, using two roster spots on players who are sidelined was untenable. The Nuggets not only get a potential contributor in Bryn Forbes, but they also free up a spot to eventually convert one of their two-way contracts, allowing either Markus Howard or Davon Reed to be eligible for the playoffs.

Let's break down the implications for all three teams, including what the Spurs get out of adding salary by taking back the highest-paid player in the deal, and hand out grades.

Celtics get: P.J. Dozier, Bol Bol

Nuggets get: Bryn Forbes

Spurs get: Juancho Hernangomez, 2028 second-round pick via Denver

The Nuggets' attempt to move Bol for value to the Pistons earlier this month backfired when he failed his physical in Detroit. Not only did that prevent the Nuggets from getting a second-round pick (albeit a late one) and a player at a position of need (wing Rodney McGruder) in return, it led to Bol opting to undergo right foot surgery on Tuesday.

Bol's surgery made him the fifth Denver player sidelined long term, joining Dozier (ACL tear), starters Jamal Murray (working his way back from a 2021 ACL tear) and Michael Porter Jr. (back