The Boston Celtics face difficult roster decisions this offseason.
Following a disappointing playoff exit against the New York Knicks, and with Jayson Tatum expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season, the Celtics could explore bold moves to reshape their organization while cutting costs.
Not surprisingly, NBA writers are going crazy with their trade machines in regard to Boston.
A blockbuster three-team trade involving the Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks could be on the horizon for Boston, according to Sports Illustrated’s Rohan Raman.
“While point guard Jrue Holiday and center Kristaps Porzingis are both rumored to be in trade conversations due to their expensive salaries, another player that could be on the trading block for Boston if the right deal comes along is Jaylen Brown," Raman wrote.
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"The former Finals MVP is on a supermax deal for the next four years and it wouldn’t be entirely surprising if Boston decided to deal him in order to open up future cap space. One team that could be interested in taking him on is the Sacramento Kings. The trio of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis did not work this season and it’s clear that the Kings need to make significant changes on offense if they want to remain a viable threat in the Western Conference. If they saw Brown as the missing piece to their team, they do have the picks and salaries to make a compelling offer."
"The Celtics don’t have an abundance of cap space to get a deal done," Raman continued. "NBA insider Marc Stein has already reported that Atlanta could also look to be facilitators this summer in the trade market due to their financial flexibility, depending on if the team brings back any of Caris LeVert, Clint Capela, or Larry Nance.”
Raman then outlined the specifics of the deal:
Kings receive...
- Jaylen Brown
- Baylor Scheierman
Hawks receive...
- Sam Hauser
- Neemias Queta
Celtics receive...
- DeMar DeRozan
- Keegan Murray
- Jonas Valančiūnas
- 2027 first-rounder (via SAC, unprotected)
- 2029 first-rounder (top-8 protected, via SAC)
- 2027 second-rounder (via ATL)
- 2031 second-rounder (via ATL)
This is quite a doozy of a trade proposal from Raman. At the end of the day, it doesn't feel like the Celtics would be getting back a premier, young star in the package for Brown, which would likely deter GM Brad Stevens from considering this deal.
Murray is a nice piece, and the 2027 unprotected first-rounder from Sacramento promises to be a good pick, but Boston will need to see an impossible-to-refuse offer for Brown to feel comfortable with trading the 2024 NBA Finals MVP.
It's going to take something more outstanding than this package to get Stevens to consider breaking up the Tatum/Brown duo that's already delivered a championship.
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