Celtics SF Jaylen Brown to Path Blazers? 2 trades to think about

the Boston Celtics They head to the sofa after a heartbreaking Sport 7 loss at house towards Miami Warmth.

The defeat comes after profitable three consecutive elimination video games, together with an exhilarating winner from Derrick White on the final whistle in recreation six on Saturday.

For the Celtics, Boston has now been within the Japanese Convention Finals 5 instances previously seven seasons however has but to elevate the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Which means that the Celtics could also be trying to make some adjustments, particularly with Jaylen Brown.

Brown, 26, has another yr left on his contract, however he’s eligible for a five-year, $295 million extension from the Celtics this offseason. If Boston indicators him to this deal, it just about locks the Celtics into that core, which was good however in the end proved unsuccessful in profitable a championship. This might imply that the Celtics determined to rearrange the deck and discover a new house for Brown earlier than he may take a look at without spending a dime company.

A group that is perhaps fascinated about a participant like Brown is the Portland Path Blazers, who want to add some prime notch expertise to their roster.

Portland and Boston make sense as enterprise companions, and the deal may go both manner. Ranger’s Kevin O’Connor suggests the Celtics may goal level guard Damian Lillard.

“The highest goal on my checklist shall be Damian Lillard, a born chief with elite shot-making abilities,” O’Connor writes. “Lillard is way stronger than Brown, and he brings extra attacking versatility as a result of he’s capable of thrive as an off-the-ball shooter and settle right into a passing-first function when essential.”

Lillard’s pairing with Tatum may deliver the Celtics to the promised land, however as a consequence of the truth that Dame turns 33 in July, it shrinks Boston’s title window. Buying Lillard would give the Celtics a promotion, however it could value Boston extra than simply the Browns to accumulate Lillard. Anticipate a number of future draft picks and one other strong participant or two (Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White, Marcus Sensible?) to be important in any commerce.

In line with O’Connor, there’s one other route the Blazers and Celtics may soak up any Brown speech. On this world, the Celtics commerce Brown to the Blazers, however Portland will preserve Lillard, which is what the group (and the girl) in the end need.

The Blazers are stated to be reluctant to tackle Lillard and would possibly desire to flip the quantity. 3 Chosen within the June draft to assist the group round him. Whereas I stay skeptical that it will nonetheless be true if Lillard’s performances are robust sufficient, the Celtics also needs to contemplate a special foundation for Portland’s commerce: Brown to the Blazers for Anfernee Simons and no. 3 choose. Simmons is a lesser playmaker than Lillard, however he was an excellent competent 30-point-per-game scorer when he ran the present within the video games Lillard has missed this season. Simmons can also be extra of a passer-by than Brown. Boston may additionally use that third choose in a separate commerce or preserve it to choose a younger playmaker like G League’s Scoot Henderson, Elite Further Secretary or Ausar Thompson.

This deal offers the Celtics much less within the brief time period, however doubtlessly a stronger return in the long run.

The choice in the end hinges on how the group feels about its present place and Tatum, arguably the highest 5 participant within the league. It’s comprehensible that the Celtics need to preserve Tatum in Boston for the rest of his profession, however they may sacrifice a few of his upcoming primes to protect extra long-term success. In the event that they really feel they wouldn’t sacrifice an excessive amount of by grabbing a rookie and Simmons to exchange Brown, it ought to be a deal Boston ought to contemplate.

It’s cheap to assume that the Blazers, a group in search of an “elite small ahead,” can be fascinated about a deal like that to tackle the Browns, maybe the most effective participant Portland may get by way of commerce this season. Whether or not Brown is introduced in as Lillard’s companion in crime or the participant to hold the torch after him, the Blazers should pay attention.

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