All eyes will be on the Boston Celtics this summer as they decide whether to offer NBA star Jaylen Brown a designated player extension (a.k.a. a supermax contract). Although few doubt Brown’s talent, most agree that he isn’t worth the $295 million price tag of a supermax deal. That puts the Celtics in a difficult spot. If they keep him, then the tough new collective bargaining agreement could eventually handcuff the Celtics from improving their team.
On the other hand, if they move him, then they will be breaking up the NBA All-Star pairing of Brown and Jayson Tatum. Considering they are just 25 and 24, respectively, Boston could have several more deep playoff runs in their future if they keep those two together. Then again, moving on from Brown now could ensure that they have the flexibility to build around their best player, Tatum, throughout his prime.
NBA Rumors: 4 surprise teams emerge as potential Brown trade destinations.
The Atlanta Hawks are the favorites to land Jaylen Brown in a potential trade, per @betonline_ag pic.twitter.com/lKUeKM0QqZ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 30, 2023
According to Bet Online AG, the Atlanta Hawks are the surprise favorite to acquire Brown should he be traded. The Hawks are reportedly open to trading Trae Young, who is already under contract for the next four years and set to make $47 million on average. Compare that to Brown, who would make $57 million on average on a supermax contract, and it might be something that the Celtics consider.
In addition to being far cheaper, Young is also two years younger, allowing the Celtics to sort of turn back the clock. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors have the next-best odds behind the Hawks. Milwaukee’s inclusion is a bit of a head-scratcher, though Golden State makes a little bit more sense.
They have Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga and can trade their 2023, 2025, and 2027 first-round picks. That’s not nearly as appealing as Trae Young, but if Atlanta isn’t willing to move Young, then it might. After all, Brown will become an unrestricted free agent next summer if he isn’t extended by October 31, 2023. And if Boston doesn’t intend to extend him, then they may be better off moving him this summer.
NBA Rumors: Who else could trade for Jaylen Brown?
Perhaps most surprising is that the Portland Trailblazers have only the fourth-highest odds of acquiring Brown from the Celtics. This is despite them having the best potential trade package to offer.
Anfernee Simons, 2022 sixth overall pick Shaedon Sharpe, and the third pick in this year’s draft is a pretty strong offer. Especially with Scoot Henderson likely to be available at three, despite him probably being the number one overall pick in most other drafts. Better yet, both he and Sharpe will be on rookie-scale deals for at least the next three seasons.
Additionally, Simons, who had a career year this season, has four affordable years remaining on his contract. That allows Boston to avoid having to pay both Tatum and another star $50 million a season in the near future. Of the four teams, they’d offer Boston the most potential savings and flexibility, as well as upside.
Ultimately, all of this could be moot if Boston decides to offer Brown the supermax. If they don’t, however, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Golden State, and Portland are considered to be the most likely teams to land him.