The CBA was designed to break up teams like the Celtics, but how far will they have to go?
If it proves more difficult than expected to shed salaries like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, etc., would you consider moving Jaylen Brown for picks, young talent, and cap space?
Mark Aboyoun
Although I don’t think Jaylen Brown is untouchable, I don’t think he will be moved this year. When you construct a team like how the Celtics have and knowing the inevitable consequences, I think you get rid of the likes of Holiday and Porzingis even if you’re on the losing end of the deals. Even if Brown was dealt, I’m not sure the return will be enough to keep Boston at the top with an injury prone Porzingis and an aging Holiday who dipped last year in regards to his performance and shooting percentage.
Ian Inangelo
Jaylen Brown feels like the most untouchable player out of the core that could be on the move but I feel like Brad Stevens wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t at least see what is possibly out there. I feel like it’s a long shot but if a Giannis to the Celtics trade develops somehow, I feel like that’s the only way Brown gets traded from Boston unless the Mavericks want to trade the number 1 pick.
Steve Hooper
I don’t think Brad and the front office move Jaylen this summer. A year removed from an NBA Finals MVP, he is too valuable to the franchise alongside Jayson. The offer would truly need to be amazing and blow Brad’s socks off. The Celtics would want to at least take back an All- Star level young player and I can’t see that happening.
Mike Dynon
The NBA at one time set up a system where if a player like Jaylen Brown made an all-NBA team, he’d be guaranteed an even more ginormous next contract than he was already going to receive. Brown achieved that in 2023 – and soon afterwards the NBA decided to punish teams that have essentially “too many” big contracts. Somehow, the players union agreed to this. And because timing is everything, just when Boston got good enough to win it all, the “second apron” was invented. For a team called the Celtics, they certainly don’t have much luck of the Irish.
I don’t think JB will be traded, but if he is then I hope it’s done as a last resort for a huge haul at the trade deadline. And even then it would completely suck. With Jayson Tatum injured, Brown has to be the face of the team, the leader, a task he’s proved he can handle (see the 2024 postseason). Moreover, he wants to be a Celtic for life, a Bostonian forever, and he’s earned that opportunity. Yes, that’s a sentimental view, which Brad Stevens will no doubt ignore (as he should) and do what he believes is best for the franchise. However, if Jaylen Brown must be dealt because of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, it will be a dark day in Celtics history.
Jake Issenberg
I would only move Jaylen Brown if there is a mandate from ownership to get below the second apron and shed salary. Even if you get a haul of young players and picks, the chances are none of those assets turn into a player as good as Jaylen Brown. I understand the challenges of filling out depth around the two supermax contracts of Jaylen and Jayson. But due to the Jays immense versatility, building out depth is easier than with other stars. When your two best players can defend several positions, and be effective on and off the ball, it makes Brad Stevens’ job easier. Not to mention Jaylen’s standing as a Celtics legend. I would only want to move Jaylen as a part of a true superstar deal.
Jeff Clark
Like everyone above said, I don’t ultimately think that Jaylen Brown should be traded and I don’t want him to be. The only case for it is if the team simply cannot put together a workable product on the floor around two massive salaries with Tatum and Brown taking up so much of the cap. If their destiny is to become like the Suns this past year, then I can see a case for breaking it up. Some might argue that it would make more sense to move Jaylen next summer after you’ve tried everything else. I would push back and say that I’d rather move one year too early than one year too late (injury risk and all that). This is the summer where it seems like a lot of teams are ready to make franchise altering deals.
It would take a lot, but I wouldn’t rule it out.