The Boston Celtics should feel confident about their financial situation.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers and Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks helped them save roughly $180 million in tax penalties.
Still, the Celtics could continue to cut costs by swapping their $285 million NBA Finals MVP (2024) for a standout 6-foot-5 Los Angeles Lakers guard.
“The Boston Celtics, while publicly stating they’re not actively shopping the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, are definitely listening to offers—especially after recent roster shake ups like sending Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta and swapping Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons from Portland,” Sports Illustrated’s Matt Brandon wrote Friday.
“With Jayson Tatum sidelined for much of next season due to injury, Boston seems laser-focused on youth and flexibility. (Austin) Reaves, at just 27, fits that mold perfectly, and the bounty of draft picks this deal would generate could be a goldmine for rebuilding and developing talent.”
“Jaylen Brown can’t carry a championship run alone—especially without Tatum—and adding a versatile wing like Rui Hachimura, who averaged 13.1 points on over 50% shooting last season, would bolster their lineup significantly. Meanwhile, Reaves would effortlessly slide into Brown’s scoring role until Tatum makes his return.”
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For clarity, Brandon’s trade proposal sends Jaylen Brown to the Lakers for Reaves, Hachimura, one first-round pick, and two second-round picks.
Brown has a case for being the best No. 2 option in the NBA. Even without a strong left hand, the California product shines on the offensive end with Tatum.
When Brown can get defenders on their heels before outmuscling them in the paint, the 28-year-old is an elite scorer with the Celtics.
More importantly, Brown isn’t a cone defensively, as the ninth-year pro can positively alter games with his physical on-ball defense on the perimeter.
Brown averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game this season, shooting 46.3% from the field and 32.4% from three-point land.
While Boston would leave to keep Brown around for the long haul, acquiring Reaves, a more affordable guard who had just finished the most productive season of his young career (averaging 20.2 points nightly), would help the organization avoid financial issues moving forward and remain in playoff contention next year.
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