A lot has happened in this NBA offseason, and that’s before the start of free agency, which doesn’t begin for another four days. Between the draft and the numerous trades across the league, activity has been constant as fans scramble to keep up. In Portland, not much has changed on the roster front, but it hasn’t been for a lack of trying.
In an update on Friday, the ESPN insider Shams Charania confirmed that the Trail Blazers have been involved in trade conversations for several big-name players. They’ve struck out on all targets so far, but there’s one player they remain heavily tied to: Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who has another three years and $182 million on his contract.
“Portland has been a team that has interest in Jaylen Brown, they had interest in LaMelo Ball, they had interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo,” reported Shams Charania on ‘Get Up.’ “They are a team that has a ton of draft capital, and they’ve got a ton of young talent on this team. Can they make an offer? Giannis had no interest in Portland, but he had one year left on his deal, and it gave him the power to negate any type of trade to a team like Portland. But Jaylen Brown has three years left on his deal. If you’re the Portland Trail Blazers, and you have the capability to get a Jaylen Brown, there’s not that worry that he might not extend long-term.”
Brown, 29, is facing an uncertain future in Boston after being involved in trade talks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. While the Cs failed to land the Greek Freak, their quest for a Brown deal is still ongoing, and the price is notably high. In fact, as a five-time All-Star, NBA champion, and NBA Finals MVP, Jaylen is worth multiple young players and four first-round draft picks in any trade scenario.
For Portland, Brown makes a particularly good fit, and they have enough assets to make a strong offer. Between Donovan Clingan, Scoot Henderson, and Jerami Grant, they can acquire Brown without giving up key rotation players like Shaedon Sharpe, Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, and Deni Avdija.
Potential Trade Scenario
Boston Celtics Receive: Donovan Clingan, Scoot Henderson, Jerami Grant, 2028 first-round pick (via Magic), 2030 pick swap (via Bucks), 2031 first-round pick, 2032 first-round pick
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Jaylen Brown
It’s a steep price to pay for Portland, but Jaylen Brown is the type of player who can truly elevate their franchise. He’s coming off a career year with the Celtics, with averages of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 47.7% shooting and 34.7% shooting from three. If he can replicate that as the first option on the Trail Blazers, it would drastically improve their standing in the West. Plus, as an added bonus, the Blazers would no longer have to pay what’s left of Jerami Grant’s massive five-year, $160 million deal. Still, after trading Clingan, the Blazers would need to fill out the front court to keep up with the likes of the top Western teams.
For the Celtics, this proposed trade deal may be an even bigger win. Not only would they get to break free from the Jaylen Brown drama, but they’d get a pair of promising young players in return in Clingan and Henderson. There’s also veteran Jerami Grant, who could provide a spark in the frontcourt. That’s not to mention the draft picks, which Boston could flip in a trade or use to draft and develop young players.
Ultimately, this is the kind of trade that would benefit all sides, but it would not be easy. For the Celtics to split up their championship duo, it will take a massive haul, and the Trail Blazers might be one of the few teams with the assets to make a lucrative offer.
