Boston Celtics: Options for Jaylen Brown’s contract
By Adam Taylor
Filling holes
The Boston Celtics have three great wing players in Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward, all capable of becoming All-Stars (repeat All-Star in Hayward’s case).
The problem is they all play similar positions on the floor and adding in Romeo Langford and Semi Ojeleye produces a logjam at these positions.
Jammed at the wing spots but desperate at the center position following the departure of Al Horford, the front office has added multiple players on tradeable contracts during the summer, meaning a trade could be on the horizon when the deadline is closer.
Allowing players to prove themselves is never a bad idea, neither is allowing them to play their way into a higher trade value should they be having a good year — a method Danny Ainge and the Celtics may be considering with Jaylen Brown.
With no guarantee, Jaylen is going to show signs of improvement in the upcoming season, or the team holding belief a big offer sheet will be sent his way by a rival it is possible Brown becomes a trade chip to bolster an area of need for the Celtics.
Upgrading the center position with a player who is capable on both ends of the floor will not be easy, adding Brown into any proposal should make things sweeter though.
Players such as Myles Turner or Domantas Sabonis may be available for the right price from the Indiana Pacers, while the Orlando Magic may be willing to discuss parting ways with one of their bigs in exchange for Brown after re-signing Nikola Vucevic.
A straight swap is rarely possible in the NBA due to cap space and differing contracts, which is where Boston has done well to bring in players such as Enes Kanter and Vincent Poirier on team-friendly deals which can be used as salary filler should the need arise.
From a team standpoint adding a player such as Turner while keeping the services of Kanter would solidify the frontcourt, making the roster more rounded providing fluid rotations across the floor.
Trading Brown would be a risk though. Hayward would need to verbally agree to exercise his player option at the end of the year to ensure the Celtics had the confidence to move a player Brown’s upside.
Alternatively, it may be Hayward who becomes the trade chip, though this is unlikely due to his large salary and age — Brown holds value because he is young and promising with no worrisome injuries clouding the waters.
The best option available? No. A a necessary evil? Maybe.