The NBA offseason is a time when blockbuster trades can happen, and there’s no doubt that we frequently see star movement during the summer. There’s definitely a chance that a big-time trade will come to pass this summer.
A recent report suggested that the Cleveland Cavaliers are open to discussing trades for point guard Darius Garland. If they were to trade Garland, it would make sense for them to move him for shot-creating forward, as that is one of the current holes on their roster. Perhaps the Boston Celtics could provide a suitable trade partner, as they can move Jaylen Brown to get the point guard. This trade scenario would be a one-for-one trade.
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics Receive: Darius Garland
There is no doubt that this deal could potentially be a good move for both parties. Here is why both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics should consider making this trade.
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive The Wing Player They’ve Been Missing
In the modern NBA, a team needs a versatile forward to be successful at the highest level. In fact, that was on display during the NBA Finals: Jimmy Butler willed the Miami Heat all the way there, while Michael Porter Jr. played a key role in the Denver Nuggets making the NBA Finals as well. The Cleveland Cavaliers lack that aspect on their team, and acquiring Jaylen Brown would change that.
Jaylen Brown averaged 26.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 3.5 APG during the regular season, and he is a proven playoff performer that has shown he can be a quality No. 2 option. Brown is a two-way player who is capable of guarding the best opposing perimeter player and scoring at a high level. His scoring is diverse, and Brown can score from anywhere on the court, with his rim pressure being a notable strength. On the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brown would remain in a competitive situation and would continue to be one of the primary offensive options.
Of course, the only hang-up in this deal would be the fact that Jaylen Brown is in the last year of his deal, making $31.8 million. Obviously, this trade would only happen if Jaylen Brown is willing to commit to a long-term deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. There is no point in the Cavaliers trading Darius Garland, who is on a five-year deal, for one year of Jaylen Brown if he is unwilling to remain with the franchise long-term.
Jaylen Brown and Donovan Mitchell would definitely be a championship-caliber duo, and they would have a quality supporting cast as well, featuring players such as Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Brown could clearly be the missing piece for the team in their championship pursuit.
The Boston Celtics Finally Get An Elite Point Guard
There have been two main criticisms of the Jayson Tatum – Jaylen Brown era Boston Celtics: their two best players overlap in terms of skill set, and they have never once had a true floor general that knows how to run an offense. Trading for Darius Garland could solve both of those issues at once and have some financial benefits for the team as well.
This past season, Darius Garland averaged 21.6 PPG, 2.7 RPG, and 7.8 APG for the Cleveland Cavaliers while shooting 41.0% from 3PT range. He is the quintessential modern point guard: he can run pick and roll, find open shooters, and be a complementary scorer. He seems like the perfect option to pair with Jayson Tatum: he can take some of the playmaking load off of the star forward, allowing Tatum to focus on being an elite defender and scorer. He would be a good fit, and since he’s locked in long-term, the Celtics will have time to build around him and Tatum.
The financial benefit of this deal comes from the fact that the Boston Celtics can avoid paying Jaylen Brown a supermax contract. Brown is eligible for a $290 million deal, and given the financial constricts of the new CBA, the team signing Brown to such a deal will rob them of a lot of flexibility. Getting Darius Garland, who will be on the first year of a $197 million deal during the 2023-24 season, seems like a no-brainer from a financial standpoint.
Overall, there are multiple reasons for the Boston Celtics to potentially make this deal. It is certainly an appealing option if it is on the table, and Darius Garland could take them to the next level.
This Deal Would Be A Win-Win Trade
The key reason for both teams to make this deal is positional fit: both the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers will have more balanced roster construction if they make this trade. Jaylen Brown will give the Cleveland Cavaliers more size and two-way play at the SF position, while Darius Garland will provide the Boston Celtics with consistent playmaking and shooting at the PG position. Both teams will improve in their areas of weakness.
Of course, this deal will only happen if Darius Garland is truly on the table from the Cleveland Cavaliers. It is hard to see them giving up on a promising young core so soon, especially since they won 51 games and were the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference this season. Likewise, the Boston Celtics would have to really believe that they need to make a change to reach the championship level or, alternatively, be worried about the financial ramifications of giving Jaylen Brown a supermax contract.
There is no doubt that this deal requires some conditions before becoming a realistic option for both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics. Still, it is within the realm of possibility for both teams due to both franchises getting players who help them from a basketball standpoint, and we’ll see what happens in the future.
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