The Boston Celtics’ season is over after a disheartening 19-point home loss in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Celtics have been among the NBA elite the last few seasons, but have been unable to break through with a title. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith offered a bold suggestion for Boston to shake up its roster if Jaylen Brown, who is eligible for five-year, $295 million contract extension this summer, is insistent on being paid that much.
“There’s a guy by the name of Damian Lillard in Portland. I wouldn’t mind getting somebody like him, who’s a closer by the way,” Smith said on Get Up Wednesday.
.@stephenasmith says the Celtics should look to acquire Damian Lillard 👀 pic.twitter.com/HMK1jGDnka
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 30, 2023
Smith said he would consider this move because he feels Brown is not worth that supermax money.
NBA fans have been discussing Smith’s suggestion this morning.
“You can only laugh at this point with ESPN’s obsession about getting Dame out of Portland. It ain’t happening,” one person said.
You can only laugh at this point with ESPN’s obsession about getting Dame out of Portland.
It ain’t happening. https://t.co/2SOW4YdRVO
— Alex Tam 譚汶材 (@alexctam) May 30, 2023
“He said the same after the Knicks game 6 L. Dude want Dame just outta Portland to prove his point,” a Knicks fan added.
He said the same after the Knicks game 6 L. Dude want Dame just outta Portland to prove his point. https://t.co/GguvnGCjiM
— KnicksFanSinceBirth 🇭🇹 (@Dattfranco) May 30, 2023
“Seriously Portland would be dumb to not call Boston right now. Try to get Brown and some picks to pair with scoot etc. Don’t be dumb,” another commenter added.
Seriously Portland would be dumb to not call Boston rn. Try to get Brown and some picks to pair with scoot etc. Don’t be dumb https://t.co/mMwmIM0RZO
— The Mecca (@TheMeccaMSG) May 30, 2023
“They ain’t got no choice . Get JB out the paint immediately I’m tired of seeing the same thing over and over,” added a disgruntled Celtics fan.
They ain’t got no choice . Get JB out the paint immediately I’m tired of seeing the Same thing over and over https://t.co/vKNjtX0GEa
— LilRocketNasa (@lilrocketnasa) May 30, 2023
Still only 26, Brown averaged career-highs in points, rebounds and assists per game this season while making his second All-Star Game.
However, his numbers slipped in the playoffs, and plummeted in the Eastern Conference Finals, which he capped off by shooting 8-for-23 from the field and 1-of-9 from three-point range with eight turnovers in Game 7.