Momentum continues to build toward a trade that sends Jaylen Brown — the team’s 2024 NBA Finals MVP — out of town. This became a thing when Brown was publicly dangled as part of the Celtics’ efforts to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo (even if Boston didn’t want that to leak), then the Heat won the bidding war, leaving Boston in an awkward position.
Here is all the latest on the Jaylen Brown rumors flying around the league.
Advertisement
The Trail Blazers wanted to get in on the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, but that was always a long shot at best because the two-time MVP was entering the final year of his contract, and him saying he would or would not sign an extension with a team allowed him to help pick a destination.
Jaylen Brown has three fully guaranteed seasons left on his contract, and with that, the Trail Blazers are going all in and are the frontrunners to land him, reports Sam Amick of The Athletic.
What would a Portland offer look like? Multiple reports have said All-Star Deni Avdija is not available or part of any deal. Also, Jerami Grant and his $34.2 million salary basically have to be part of the deal for it to work. The real question is what and who are the other players and draft picks in the mix? Boston likely will ask for center Donovan Clingan and/or defensive wing Toumani Camara to be in the deal. Portland is more likely to counter and offer Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson.
Advertisement
Is that enough to get a deal done? We’ll see.
Other interested teams
The Toronto Raptors (if they don’t land Kawhi Leonard) are in the mix, as are the Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, and Atlanta Hawks, according to Michael Scotto of Hoopshype.
While it would be going home to Georgia, don’t expect a return to Atlanta to happen, league sources have told NBC Sports. While Houston and Orlando were tied to Brown trades in the past, they are also out, according to Scotto.
One team to watch in Cleveland, reports Chris Mannix, speaking to NBC Sports Boston. The catch would be that the Cavaliers would have to include former Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley — a guy they would not throw into an Antetokounmpo trade. Plus, having James Harden, Donovan Mitchell and Jaylen Brown together seems an awkward fit on first glance.
Advertisement
Celtics want a deal “soon”
Whatever is going to happen, wherever Brown might get traded, the Celtics want this to get done quickly, ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill reports.
There’s a small pocket of execs and agents who believe the Celtics are bluffing with Brown, but the prevailing thought is they want to move on this — soon.
That’s the way the momentum is building, although “soon” is a vague term. It’s hard to blame Brown for wanting out, you don’t want to be the person in the relationship where your partner is always looking to upgrade.
Read the full article here
