The Boston Celtics are actively engaged in trade talks surrounding Jaylen Brown with multiple interested teams, according to ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania. The Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Los Angeles Clippers could be potential landing spots for him.
Boston appears to be approaching a pivotal offseason, with the possibility of moving Brown no longer seeming out of the question. This will be an interesting offseason for the Celtics.
The Hawks are a team to closely monitor for a potential Brown trade. They can offer Boston a package built around Zaccharie Risacher, and Dyson Daniels. Brown could be intrigued by the idea of returning home to Atlanta as their top star. The Hawks are looking to make up for the Trae Young trade despite having Jalen Johnson.
Landing Brown could be the missing link to major success for the Rockets. This move would create a highly favorable pathway, perfectly suiting their young core. Kevin Durant is 37 years old, and Houston needs to go all-in.
Ime Udoka was the Celtics head coach in 2022. The biggest challenge would be matching Brown’s salary, which is $57.1 million next season and totals about $183 million over the next three years.
With Brown on the Rockets, this team could reach the second round of the playoffs and perhaps the Western Conference Finals. Boston could ask for a lot in return if he ends up being traded.
The Nuggets are among the teams listed as willing to offer a big package for Brown. This team is going nowhere fast unless it makes a bold move and sheds payroll.
To get Brown in a hypothetical trade, Denver would have to give up Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Zeke Nnaji, and Peyton Watson. The Nuggets need more depth and defenders, not another expensive starter, unless they trade two starters.
For the Pelicans to get Brown in a theoretical trade package, they would have to give up Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, and picks. They have tried and failed to build a team around Zion Williamson, whether that is due to injuries or disappointing seasons. Adding a superstar like Brown elevates them into relevance and creates a really cool dynamic for the franchise.
Brown makes no sense for New Orleans. The Pelicans are still in the early stages of reshaping their roster. Additionally, they traded an unprotected first round pick to get Derik Queen; they are not trading him.
The Clippers are a team for Brown to keep an eye on. They have multiple future first-round draft picks available to dangle, including Keaton Wagler.
Adding Brown would immediately make Los Angeles contenders. Darius Garland, Kawhi Leonard, and Brown would be James Harden, Leonard, and Paul George 2.0. If healthy, that trio could resemble their former star-studded core.
What’s your take? Post it in our free sports community at stadiumrant.app, or download Stadium Rant on the App Store.
Brown averaged 28.7 points per game on 47.6 FG%, seven rebounds per game, 5.2 assists per game, one steal per game, and 0.4 blocks per game this season. The truth is, seeing these numbers makes the decision much harder than it seems. He comes off an incredible season and means a lot to Boston.
Over the last several weeks leading up to the NBA Draft, the Celtics have shown a willingness to discuss potential trades involving Brown with other teams. Before he was traded to the Miami Heat, Boston made a strong push to trade for two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, offering a package that included Brown and future draft assets. Whether the Celtics ultimately keep Brown or pull off a blockbuster trade, his future is shaping up to be one of the biggest stories of the NBA offseason.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
