Jaylen Brown’s future with the Boston Celtics is as uncertain as ever. With two years remaining on his contract, it’s a legitimate possibility that Brown bolts in the summer of 2024, or even request a trade this offseason.
A recent article by the Ringer suggested as much. Brown may feel underappreciated by the Celtics’ organization and could look for a larger role elsewhere.
If that turns out to be the case, many teams will be interested in a player with Brown’s skillset. He does everything you could ask for from a basketball player, being able to defend guards and wings at an elite level, create off the dribble, knock down perimeter shots, and make plays for his teammates.
Brown’s wide-ranged skillset won’t make him easily obtainable, but there are still teams with the assets needed to acquire the two-time all-star. Here are those teams’ potential trade packages.
Houston Rockets
The Package: Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jae’Sean Tate, 2024 first-round pick via Brooklyn, 2025 first-round pick via Brooklyn or OKC
How it benefits the Celtics
This trade would have the Celtics taking a step back, acquiring two age-21 and younger players in Green and Sengun as the main return of the package. However, with Jayson Tatum only in his mid-20s, maybe it would make more sense for Boston to prioritize the future. This trade would allow them to do so while remaining competitive.
Green has shown flashes of stardom in Houston, despite facing inefficiency issues and lacking effort on the defensive end. However, that’s to be expected as a 21-year-old playing for one of the league’s worst basketball teams. Being in a winning culture in Boston should help his development.
Sengun has similarly shown flashes of stardom, as his playmaking out of the post has already drawn comparisons to Nikola Jokic. In addition, the Celtics would acquire Jae’Sean Tate, a solid role player at 27 years old, along with two first-round picks.
How it benefits the Rockets
At first glance, it might not make sense why the Rockets, a team who will finish as one of the worst in the league, would cash in its assets on a star player. However, Houston could turn things around faster than expected, with over $90 million available in cap space this offseason. Reports have already indicated they plan on advancing to the next step of their rebuild this summer.
Rumors have been circulating that James Harden plans on returning to Houston. If so, Brown would be the perfect sidekick, providing lockdown defense and elite scoring alongside Harden’s playmaking. They would form a formidable duo, and possibly the best duo throughout the Harden era in Houston.