If the Boston Celtics decide to take a gap year after Jayson Tatum's torn Achilles, they might have a taker for Jaylen Brown.
The Houston Rockets are still loaded with assets after not having to give up a ton to acquire Kevin Durant. Could they also be after Brown?
NBA insider Kevin O'Connor wrote on X, "The Rockets still have enough assets to make a compelling offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo or Jaylen Brown or basically whoever they want to target, even after acquiring Kevin Durant."
O'Connor then listed out the first-round picks the Rockets still have to trade:
- 2027 Suns
- 2027 Nets or Rockets (most favorable)
- 2028 Rockets
- 2029 Mavs, Suns or Rockets (two most favorable)
- 2030 Rockets
- 2031 Rockets
- 2032 Rockets
The Celtics could also ask for young players like Reed Shepherd and Cam Whitmore in a deal. It's not clear if a bigger piece like Alperen Sengun could be included.
MORE: Rockets trade for Kevin Durant shifts their NBA title timeline
Boston would first have to show conviction in a decision to actually trade away Brown. The Celtics could instead choose to let Brown be their main leader in 2025-26 and then be back reunited with Tatum the following winter.
But if the Celtics want a deal, it'd be tough for another team not named Oklahoma City to match the Rockets' offer.
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