The Boston Celtics‘ dreams of defending their NBA title were shattered when Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles in Game 4 of the Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks. This season was always going to be the Celtics’ last with this core group of players, thanks to the luxury tax bill and the second apron, and changes are expected.
Rumors have been flying around on who the Celtics would part with. You’d expect Tatum to be untouchable, but the same might not be the case when it comes to his co-star Jaylen Brown.
While the Celtics would love to hold on to Brown, he and Derrick White are the only two valuable trade assets they have, apart from Tatum. Jrue Holiday is 34 and is earning over $30 million a year, while Kristaps Porzingis is entering the final year of his deal in 2025-26.
If the Celtics want to retool and extend their championship window, parting with Brown could prove to be the way to go. He has a lot of value around the league and should fetch a sizeable haul. We came up with a mock trade that sees Brown end up with the San Antonio Spurs thanks to an offer the Celtics cannot refuse.
Proposed Trade Details
Boston Celtics Receive: Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan, No. 2 Pick in 2025, 2027 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Jaylen Brown
The Celtics Add Talented Youngsters To Their Ranks
The Celtics bring in some exciting young talent with this deal. Stephon Castle is the headline act after winning Rookie of the Year in 2025.
Castle averaged 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game for the Spurs in 2024-25. He has the potential to be a fine two-way guard in the coming years and would be a good piece next to Tatum.
Devin Vassell, meanwhile, would provide a good scoring punch from that shooting guard slot. Vassell averaged 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in 2024-25. He is a positive defender as well and is a good third or fourth option for a team.
Speaking of defense, Jeremy Sochan would be a great addition on that end of the floor. Sochan averaged 11.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in 2024-25.
Along with these three, the Celtics will also get a couple of picks some years down the road and the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft. They would add one of Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, or VJ Edgecombe among their ranks with it, and it’s safe to say, the roster will be completely retooled with this deal.
As much as the Celtics love Brown, they would have a hard time turning this down. They aren’t quite sacrificing their immediate future either with this deal, as next season is going to be a wash anyway because of Tatum’s injury.
The Spurs Create A Big 3
The Spurs are giving up a lot here, but they are adding a proven winner next to Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox. Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, averaged 22.2 points. 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.3 steals per game in 2024-25.
The Spurs indicated by trading for Fox earlier this year that they’re not just going to stand pat. They want to win now, and Brown would certainly help in that regard. A big 3 of these two and Wembanyama can make noise in what is a loaded Western Conference.
Wembanyama averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 3.8 blocks per game for the Spurs in 2024-25. He was going to run away with the DPOY award, but was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis at the All-Star break.
Fox, meanwhile, put up 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game after being traded to the Spurs. We only got to see him and Wembanyama play together for five games before the Frenchman was ruled out for the season. The Spurs went just 2-3 in those games, but you’d expect these two to be in sync with each other once they have a training camp together.
Would the Spurs have a shot at winning it all with this trio? Well, it really depends on Wembanyama’s progression. If he does take another leap next season, then the Spurs would really be in business.
