Some people around the NBA think the Hawks, Rockets and Trail Blazers all have “legitimate trade interest” in Celtics star Jaylen Brown, Marc Stein reports at The Stein Line (Substack link).
Stein references Brown within a story largely centered on the uncertain future of Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is believed to have interest in joining Boston, though whether the Celtics reciprocate that interest is not yet known.
The framework of a possible blockbuster trade between Milwaukee and Boston that sees Antetokounmpo land with the Celtics would likely have to involve at least three teams, according to Stein, with Brown rerouted to a third club — potentially Atlanta, Houston or Portland — and the Bucks receiving unspecified assets.
Brown, 29, is coming off a career-best regular season in which he averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.0 steal in 34.4 minutes per game across 71 appearances. He was named to his fourth straight All-Star team (fifth overall), finished a career-high sixth in MVP voting, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the second time.
Brown still has three years and $183MM remaining on the super-max extension he signed with Boston in 2023. The Georgia native was named Finals MVP when the Celtics won their 18th title in 2024.
Houston and Portland are going to be the desperate ones. The Hawks will take a look at any star open to coming home to Atlanta, but they don’t like Brown’s contract and the possible price.
This is true. I think Portland will offer more than ATL. And Brown reuniting with his former coach? Interesting. Rockets need versatile offensive player like JB. Too bad the locker room vibrations would be guaranteed to fail with KD and JB trying to out-drama each other
Browns contract is a value for an All NBA player. But you will have to give up a lot to get him is correct.
I was just wondering if Brown was a native to Atlanta, so I appreciate you for confirming that. Also, I think the hawks have a better chance at making that move. In terms of fit..I believe they have the better roster built already. Houston has chemistry and roster construction problems, and Portland is still trying to find their identity, so I can’t see Brown wanting to go there unless the owner regrets his cheap decisions lol..anyways let’s see what happens in these next few months
Why would the Hawks not like JB’s contract ? If anything he has lived up to and even outplayed his contract at times. You could argue that he should be getting paid 70 million and I think that’s what his next extension is going to pay him. Also we all just watched the 1st round series against the Knicks and a player of JB’s caliber is exactly what the Hawks are missing. They need another star capable of playing great defense and scoring at a high level.
Pistons should go after him
Yeahh I can see that. Cade and JB backcourt would look pretty good hypothetically.
3J McCollum (s&t), Zacch Risacher, Corey Kispert, Mo Gueye, Atl 2029 & 2031 1sts top5 protected to Boston for Jaylen Brown & a future 2nd
Dice/JB/Kuminga/Jalen/Onyeka would be a ridiculous starting 5. Nickeil, Kingston Flemings, Buddy Hield, Asa Newell & Rob Williams would be tough bench support as well
link to youtube.com
Think you need to have the 8th pick in that deal or 23. Without it, i don’t see Boston giving up JB in his prime while they are also trying to contend in a weak east.
Boston hangs up the phone for Sankara’s offer, those picks mean nothing and those players don’t move the needle.
They can get the #23 pick, def not #8
I would think Nickeil would have to be part of the package going back. Just my thoughts.
I could possibly replace CJ w/ Nickeil in the deal
Still no center for ATL. They aren’t winning anything with Onyeka as their starting 5. Boston doesn’t give a blank about ATL players or picks, they want Giannis
Lol Ima need you to get familiar with Onyeka Okongwu, 1 of the most versatile bigs in the game today. If Isaiah Hartenstein & Al Horford can win rings as starting 5s then clearly it’s very possible for Onyeka to do it as well. He outplays those 2 guys almost every time they match up.
link to youtube.com
Boston days no to pick protections. They’re giving up the only player with long term value. CJ is good for another season or two but the rest are just salary filler
Zacch Risacher clearly has a lot of long term value. He just turned 21 & is still 1 of the top young wing prospects in the world. The 2 future picks obv have a lot of long term value as well. And Mo Gueye has long term value as well. Kispert is the only salary filler
Boston hangs up so hard that it bustes Atlanta’s eardrum
The only way I could see BOS trading Brown to ATL is if Giannis ends up in BOS. I’d do this swap if I were BOS, but it wouldn’t be irrational for them to turn it down. ATL has some decent future assets and would be primary supplier of those to MIL.
Yeah, I think that’s the idea. Boston is interested in upgrading from Brown to Giannis but Bucks have no use for Brown, so they need to find a third team. Three teams have shown interest in Brown, but apparently Boston is going to hang up on Atlanta, so there will only be two teams left where he can go.
I like Jaylen Brown on the Rockets. Great lineup they would have. They would still need a point guard (if VanVleet is not going to be that player) and the locker room dynamics with KD, would be something to monitor.
Wait, is there a way for ATL to get Jaylen Brown AND Anthony Edwards?
Nickeil, salary filler, five first rounders would get you Brown via three-way trade w Boston and Milwaukee.
What’s left, outside of Jalen, for Edwards that they’d even want?
No
It’s tough keeping two max players on same team. Trading Jalen now is a mistake. First you have to see how Tatum looks. Cause you might be moving the wrong guy. I don’t see Celtics moving Brown. They will go for it next year with this group.
Yeah the new CBA rules affects teams like the Celtics who are great at building through the draft and developing players into stars or great role players. But In my opinion I think you can have two players on the team making 50-60 million or even 70 million if these new CBA rules are still in effect in the next collective bargaining agreement in 2030. The problem is you can’t have a player like DWhite making 30 million as you’re 3rd or 4th best player even though he is a great defensive player and decent on offense. For the Celtics to become contenders again or favorites to make the finals. I think they have to trade DWhite this summer if they don’t trade JB because he makes to much money they’re better off trying to trade DWhite for two great role players making his combined 30 million next year or finding a Center or PG who they think can help them against teams like Philly, OKC, San Antonio and all of the other contenders in the East.
Also I agree I don’t think Brad will trade JB but you never know. If the C’s do decide to trade JB other than a three team deal with JB ending up on the Hawks or Blazers and Giannis on the Celtics. A Jaylen Brown trade that makes sense for them in my opinion is to trade him for Franz Wagner or Trey Murphy. Not only do they get a star player who is 4-5 years younger, more athletic, has room to improve defensively but they will also bring a different dynamic to the Celtics offense and change they’re playstyle like Brad had indicated he wanted to do at the end of season press conference or at least allow them to mix it up and not just shoot 50 three point attempts per game even if they’re clean looks and hope the shots go in.
Also I think JT should be a 100% by next season he said he was at 80-85% this year and he was still the best player on the C’s. He averaged 23 ppg, 11 rebounds and 7-8 assists against Philly
Not a fan of max contracts. But that’s for another day. You have to thru season imo. To see how Tatum looks and holds up. Maybe at TD there could be something there. I see Celtics going for it next year. They weren’t that far off. They add a center in draft. They let Vucevic walk and sign someone.
Bear in mind that Giannis’ monster free throw stats would be cut by 2/3 if he joins Boston. Combination of being three-point happy and getting screwed by the officials. And trading Jaylen would be stupid.
Maybe they can work out a Lakers-style fixed deal where they get Giannis for a couple of bench warmers and a 2nd-round pick.
Boston is running the Jays again. Just need a center who can score in the post. Simons coming back would be good. Brad knows what he us doing. Quera will be better after another summer or work.
Boston is not trading jb