The NBA has been teeming with trade activity over the last few days. From players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and LaMelo Ball changing teams, the league has already seen some major moves. Now, with Jaylen Brown emerging as a big name on the trade block, the NBA may be gearing up for another blockbuster trade.
Ever since the Boston Celtics came up short in their pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown has been viewed as a potential candidate for trade. In light of the fallout with the Celtics‘ front office, such a situation is to be expected. Still, among the teams that have emerged as potential suitors, the Charlotte Hornets appear to be the frontrunners at the current juncture.
It is worth noting that the Hornets already pulled off a monumental move by sending LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid and a haul of draft picks. Given the need to compensate for Ball’s offensive impact, pursuing a player like Jaylen Brown could be ideal, with many even considering it an upgrade. However, to ensure success in this venture, the Hornets may have to make some tough decisions, one of which may involve moving their recently acquired assets to Boston.
Since the trade won’t be finalized until July 6, the Hornets could consider expanding the LaMelo Ball trade to include the Celtics, effectively routing some of their assets to Boston. With a three-team trade scenario emerging as a possibility, here is the Hornets’ best package for Jaylen Brown:
Proposed Trade Details
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics Receive: Naz Reid, Miles Bridges, 2027 first-round pick (CHA), 2029 first-round pick (CHA), 2033 first-round pick (MIN)
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: LaMelo Ball, Josh Green
Financially, this deal may work out fairly for each team involved. The Timberwolves are essentially using the $33.3 million trade exception gained from the Julius Randle trade to absorb a portion of LaMelo Ball’s ($40.7 million) and Josh Green‘s ($14.6 million) contracts. Given that the Wolves are also parting with Naz Reid’s $23.2 million in this trade, the total incoming cap hit of $22.0 million after using the trade exception seems reasonable.
The Celtics find themselves in a relatively comfortable financial position in this trade scenario. With Jaylen Brown’s $57.0 million contract on the way out, the incoming cap hit of Reid’s $23.2 million, along with Miles Bridges‘ $22.8 million contract ($46.0 million total), enables them to shed nearly $11 million in salary. This could be converted into a trade exception to make future roster moves.
Finally, for the Hornets, this trade works out perfectly. By sending out nearly $78.1 million in salaries in this deal, Charlotte has more than enough cap space to absorb Brown’s contract. Given that they also shed $21.1 million in cap space with this trade, the Hornets would be in a favorable position.
How Does This Trade Impact Each Team?
The impact of this trade on the Minnesota Timberwolves has already been explored. With the arrival of LaMelo Ball, the Wolves have finally acquired a star-caliber floor general to pair with Anthony Edwards in the backcourt. By freeing up Edwards from his playmaking duties, the Wolves are bound to become a far more explosive offensive unit while boasting one of the most exciting young backcourts in the NBA.
However, introducing a third team to this trade would make the impact of this deal on the Hornets and the Celtics completely different.
For starters, the Hornets would be acquiring Jaylen Brown instead of Naz Reid. This is already a major shift, as Charlotte would land a very different kind of player. But considering their needs, it could be argued that this addition is ideal.
Last season, Jaylen Brown was undoubtedly one of the best players in the league. As the driving force behind the Celtics in Jayson Tatum‘s absence, Brown led Boston to a terrific regular-season campaign, helping the team secure the second seed in the East with a 56-26 record.
Brown finished the regular season with averages of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 47.7% from the field and 34.7% from three-point range. Having finished sixth in the MVP race, Jaylen Brown is a bona fide superstar and definitely an upgrade on LaMelo Ball.
This trade effectively transforms the Hornets from being a competitive team to a legitimate playoff contender. But how does this trade benefit the Celtics?
It goes without saying that parting with Brown does not favor Boston, especially in light of his impact on the team. Unfortunately, given the circumstances, retaining him would prove detrimental. Thus, moving on seems to be the only option.
In this regard, the returns for Brown are quite promising.
Naz Reid’s arrival addresses a key roster issue: the big man rotation. The Celtics have enjoyed success with players like Neemias Queta contributing in the frontcourt, but given the need for an upgrade, adding a versatile center like Reid is worthwhile.
Last season, Reid averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field and 36.2% from three-point range. Having proven himself capable enough of earning a starting spot, Reid could be far more productive as a floor-spacing big man in a system like Boston’s.
The Celtics would also acquire Bridges as part of this trade. The Hornets’ forward essentially steps in as a positional replacement for Jaylen Brown. Although he isn’t as productive, having averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on 46.0% shooting from the field last season, he brings toughness, rebounding, and scoring upside.
While Bridges has typically been a starter-caliber player in the league, the Celtics may see more value in bringing him off the bench. Given how dynamic he could be offensively against second-unit defenses, Boston could experiment with their lineups to get the best results.
Along with Naz Reid and Miles Bridges, the Celtics would be acquiring three first-round picks to replenish their draft assets. Although the overall package may not wholly compensate for Brown’s departure, it is certainly worthwhile.
The Hornets May Opt For A Different Approach To Land Jaylen Brown
Although the aforementioned approach could improve the Hornets’ chances of landing Jaylen Brown, recent updates suggest the franchise may opt for an alternative route.
The trade proposal mentioned above was based on the fact that the trade wouldn’t be finalized until July 6, allowing the Hornets and the Wolves to expand the trade and improve their returns. However, according to a recent report by ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Hornets appear intent on retaining the assets received in this deal.
“They already got some trade calls in on [Naz Reid], but the plan is right now to keep him. This is a team that could still shift the roster around a little bit if they want,” Charania reported.
If Charania’s report is to be believed, it could be assumed that Charlotte may not be in any rush to pull the trigger on a Jaylen Brown trade, at least, not until the trade with the Wolves is finalized.
While there is merit to this approach, it could also prove risky. With teams such as the Atlanta Hawks and the Houston Rockets showing a keen interest in acquiring the five-time All-Star, Charlotte may fall short in their pursuit unless they present a meaningful trade package right away.
