Fresh off a disappointing playoff loss to the New York Knicks, the Boston Celtics may look much different next season. They will likely be without star Jayson Tatum for the majority, if not all, of next season, and they may be forced to move on from several key players, including Al Horford and Jrue Holiday.
However, they may also be looking to make an even bigger move this summer after being linked to project no. one overall pick Cooper Flagg. According to NBA insider Kevin O'Connor, the Celtics conducted an interview with Flagg at the NBA Draft combine.
That is a curious move considering that they only have the 28th pick in this year's draft. It's rare but not unheard of for some contending teams to interview top players even though they don't have a pick. What's notable is that the Celtics could potentially trade for Flagg.
Could the Boston Celtics trade for Cooper Flagg?
Given that the Celtics may be without Tatum for all of next season, they could use the opportunity to reshape their roster in his absence. That could include them exploring trading Jaylen Brown this summer.
The Dallas Mavericks will be first in line in the NBA draft and are seeming locks to take Flagg, but if the Celtics were to offer Brown, that might make Mavs GM Nico Harrison at least consider the option.
Potential Harrison jokes aside, the Mavericks clearly are built to win now, with their roster having been built around Luka Dončić before he was abruptly traded around the deadline. Flagg gives them a massive long-term building block, but he may not fit their current roster nearly as well as Brown would.
Pairing Brown with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving— once he's healthy—would be a star trio that could make waves in the West.
Will the Celtics trade for Jaylen Brown?
If the Celtics thought that they could get Flagg for Brown, then they would likely make that move. Not only could it save them a boatload of salary and luxury tax payments, but it could also give them a young potential superstar that could pair with Tatum once he's fully healthy.
Nevertheless, the Mavs haven't given any indication that the number one pick will be available to trade for. Then again, they didn't prior to trading Doncic either, so never say never.
All in all, the Celtics will almost certainly look much different next season. With Tatum possibly out for the year, they may look to move some of their core players, and that just might include Brown.