A Jaylen Brown trade has dominated the headlines and social media discussions since the Miami Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo. According to rumors from trustworthy sources and those that may not be, the Boston Celtics were in on the Greek Freak and had offered a package around Brown. When they failed to land the Bucks superstar, the attention turned to the player they allegedly offered.
Now, outlets are speculating where Boston will ship Brown to, as if keeping him is off the table. If the team is truly looking into trade packages for the five-time all-star, then they are considering waiving the white flag for the immediate future. Nothing they could potentially get in return could make them a better team than if they kept Brown. When teams make trades that will make the roster worse, they tend to be looking past the season they are in or embarking on.
A Jaylen Brown Trade Would Yeild A Poor Return
There are two types of teams that could pursue Brown. The first is a bad team, looking for a star to build around. The players they have to offer are so good that they managed a losing record last year, or they are too young to make a difference. Draft picks would need to be included for sure (reports are that the Celtics want at least four firsts), but those are players who aren’t even in the league yet, and won’t help a team to compete for three or four years minimum.
The second type of team is one that has championship aspirations and feels Brown could be the missing piece that puts them over the hump. They won’t offer their star player because they are looking to surround him with pieces. They will offer underperforming players on huge, typically untradeable contracts. They would also include draft picks. A team like the San Antonio Spurs fits the bill. They won’t part with Victor Wembanyama, but they would offer the Celtics De’Aaron Fox and the untradeable four years and $222 million he has left on his contract.
The Celtics could trade Brown to the Dallas Mavericks and get the oft-injured Anthony Davis in return. They could send him to Golden State, and get back Jimmy Butler. The Indiana Pacers could offer Pascal Siakam, the Portland Trail Blazers would send back Jerami Grant, or they could get James Harden from the Cleveland Cavaliers. In other words, they can do a lot of things to make their team worse for the upcoming season.
The Players Who Could Help Come With Their Own Issues
There are players that teams would make available that could actually help the Celtics win the East, but they aren’t flawless. The Memphis Grizzlies are offering Ja Morant to anyone who will pick up the phone. He is an insanely athletic guard and can score in buckets. He plays defense, too, but he’ll be bringing much more baggage than the suitcases carrying his clothes. Do the Celtics want to invite a cancer into their locker room, hoping he’ll adapt to their culture?
Golden State wants to help Steph Curry get another ring before he hangs up his sneakers for good. The Celtics would have to take back Jimmy Butler in the deal, and he’s turning 37 while recovering from an ACL tear. His contract is up after the season, which is a plus, but does Butler make the Celtics better than Brown? Even if he’s completely healthy, the answer is no.
The most intriguing option would involve banking on another injury-riddled player. The Philadelphia 76ers are looking to build around Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe (who balled out in the playoffs last year). The Celtics would have zero interest in Paul George, but Joel Embiid might be available, especially if it brings Brown to Philly. The Celtics need a true big man, more than they need two good wing players. When healthy, Embiid is arguably the best center in the NBA.
The seven-footer has career averages of 27.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. He’s also averaging 32 games played for the last three seasons. He would come back with some picks for the future, but more importantly, he can help now. Would Boston be willing to roll the dice on him? Would they be willing to give up a player who is two years younger in the hopes that Embiid suddenly gets healthy and plays 70 games for the first time in his 10-year career?
It would be a ballsy move, and one that can’t be put past Brad Stevens. It’s the kind of move that gets someone a “genius” label or a “fired” label. At the end of the day, if the Celtics are committed to staying competitive, the only real option is making amends with their disgruntled star and making another run at the East crown with the squad they have. It makes no sense at all to give up on the year.
