Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown is currently the most frequently mentioned name in trade rumors around the NBA. Given how his relationship with the Celtics has deteriorated over the course of the last few months, there is a general expectation that his time in Boston has come to an end. Still, with several teams vying for the five-time All-Star, predicting where he will go next has been a challenge.
Last week, teams such as the Charlotte Hornets and the Houston Rockets emerged as the favorites. However, since the Celtics revealed their steep asking price for Jaylen Brown, the landscape has changed again, positioning a team like the Portland Trail Blazers as the most likely landing spot.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Toronto Raptors are also in the running to acquire Jaylen Brown this summer. Much like Portland, the Raptors also have the necessary assets to meet Boston’s demands. On that note, NBA insider Jake Weinbach presented a framework for how the Raptors could land the five-time All-Star.
“A trade package from Toronto would likely include Brandon Ingram, first-round draft compensation, and additional assets. The Raptors continue to signal a desire to add star-level talent around Scottie Barnes,” Weinbach mentioned.
Toronto’s inclination to build around Scottie Barnes is reasonable. In light of his performance last season, Barnes is undoubtedly the face of the Raptors franchise. Thus, by pairing him with a two-way superstar like Brown, who averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game last season, the Raptors would significantly boost their core.
But what would Toronto’s offer look like if it were structured around Brandon Ingram?
Raptors Potential Trade Package For Jaylen Brown
When factoring in Boston’s demands and the structure presented by Weinbach, here is a potential trade proposal that the Raptors could present for Jaylen Brown:
Proposed Trade Details
Toronto Raptors Receive: Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics Receive: Brandon Ingram, Jakob Poeltl, 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick
The first challenge the Raptors would face when creating a proposal for Jaylen Brown would be financial.
With a $57.0 million cap hit, trading for Jaylen Brown is not for the faint of heart. Hence, if the package is built around Brandon Ingram‘s $40 million contract next season, the Raptors could easily supplement this by including Jakob Poeltl‘s $19.5 million as a part of the deal.
Boston has every reason to be intrigued by this offer. Given that they would be parting with a superstar, adding a star-caliber player and an essential roster piece could be in their best interests.
Ingram’s offensive repertoire speaks for itself. As an elite offensive player with a versatile skill set (21.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.7 APG), the Raptors’ star is more than capable of being a consistent contributor in the Celtics’ rotation. While his injury history may raise some eyebrows, Ingram has proven himself worthwhile when available.
Along with Ingram, the Celtics would also acquire a veteran big man in Poeltl, who serves as a solid defensive and rebounding presence in the paint. Although he appeared in only 46 games last season, Poeltl posted 10.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 70% from the field.
In some ways, Poeltl’s contract may not be favorable to Boston in the long run, especially considering he’s already 30. But given Boston’s need for a reliable center, the Celtics would see merit in doing this deal.
While both player assets have value, it is clear that Boston would be far more interested in the draft compensation they receive in this deal. With that in mind, the three first-round picks from Toronto could easily meet the Celtics’ demands.
For all intents and purposes, such a trade would benefit both teams on paper. But there is still reason to believe Boston may decline a deal with Toronto.
Jaylen Brown was undeniably the Celtics’ best player last season. Considering that he even finished sixth in MVP voting, the 29-year-old was truly spectacular. In light of his performances, trading him to a rival team in the same conference and division (Atlantic) may not align with their plans to contend for a title.
It would seem more likely for the Celtics to either trade him to a team in a different division or, ideally, to a team in the West. Hence, all things considered, it would seem like the Portland Trail Blazers could still be favored as a landing spot.
