The Boston Celtics will look noticeably different in the next campaign compared to last season. With the second luxury tax apron looming, Boston had to make some tough decisions to shed salary. While they succeeded in doing so for the most part, it has had a significant impact on the team’s outlook for the next campaign.
With Jayson Tatum sidelined for the upcoming season and key players leaving the team, the Celtics are effectively going to view the upcoming season as a gap year. While this wouldn’t be an issue for the franchise, as it is simply a period of recuperation, Jaylen Brown, a superstar in his prime, may not view this decision favorably.
Over the summer, the Celtics star was mentioned in several trade rumors, but the Celtics shut them down and reaffirmed their interest in retaining him. But given Boston’s need to clear some more cap space, they could still consider making some more trades.
On this note, Sports Illustrated’s Ethen Hutton presented an intriguing trade idea to lure the Celtics into trading Brown to the Orlando Magic. Here is Hutton’s trade package:
Proposed Trade Details
Boston Celtics Receive: Jalen Suggs, Jonathan Isaac, 2026 first-round pick (swap), 2027 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick, 2028 second-round pick
Orlando Magic Receive: Jaylen Brown
On paper, what the Celtics receive could be considered significant, especially in light of the haul of draft assets. But is it truly enough?
What Does Boston Gain From This Deal?
Parting ways with Jaylen Brown would indicate a major shift in Boston’s plans for the future. Although Brown was always presented as the co-star next to Jayson Tatum, he was undoubtedly a vital part of the team’s championship core.
Last season, Brown earned his fourth All-Star selection, his third consecutive one, establishing his status as a perennial All-Star. With an average of 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, the Celtics forward was a key offensive contributor for the team.
Apart from his offense, the 28-year-old had also cemented his reputation as one of the best on-ball defenders in the league. As a two-way player, Brown is truly in a league of his own.
Replacing a talent like this is not easy. In this regard, the draft assets in this deal only serve to help the Celtics build up their depleted store of picks. However, the acquisition of Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac doesn’t come close to replacing Brown’s impact, although it does help Boston in shedding $3.1 million in salary.
Suggs and Isaac do address Boston’s immediate roster shortcomings. Suggs is a quality two-way point guard, while Isaac is a solid defensive big man. Given the changes to the Celtics’ starting rotation over this offseason, adding two players on long-term contracts could help them maintain a balanced roster once Tatum returns from injury.
Last season, Suggs notched a solid average of 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, while shooting 41.0% from the field and 31.4% from three-point range. His contributions on the defensive end for Orlando were impressive, and given his gritty style of play, he could fit Boston’s blue-collar identity.
Meanwhile, Isaac played more in the capacity of a backup big man. While being a solid inside presence, the 27-year-old cemented himself as a reliable rim protector as well. He averaged 5.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game to go with 1.1 blocks per game.
Considering that he only averaged 15.4 minutes played, Isaac has a lot of potential to be a reliable defensive anchor in a role with greater responsibilities. Given Boston’s depleted big man rotation, the Magic center could carve out a place for himself in the rotation with ease.
Why Would The Magic Want Brown?
The Orlando Magic are poised to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference next season. After an exciting offseason of acquiring reinforcements, the Magic have become a powerhouse in the East. So why would they want Brown?
An experienced player like Brown brings a lot to the table. Apart from his basic technical skills, which would certainly yield positive results on the floor, the 28-year-old brings leadership and championship experience.
The Magic fell to the Celtics in five games in last year’s playoffs. While Magic star Paolo Banchero was impressive, Orlando collapsed under the pressure, something Banchero couldn’t make up for by himself.
In such a situation, the leadership of an experienced star like Brown would be critical for helping the Magic adjust to the challenges of the postseason.
When examining the team’s core, featuring players like Banchero, Wagner, and Bane, the Magic feature extremely talented but inexperienced players. While this isn’t a necessary factor in achieving success, young teams certainly benefit from a little guidance.
Additionally, this move would allow Brown to make the most of his prime years. With a small title window at the peak of his powers, joining one of the best teams in the league is bound to act as motivation for the forward to contribute to winning. With a clear opportunity to win, the mutual benefits for both parties could yield positive results.
Should The Celtics Accept Such A Trade Offer?
While the Celtics certainly could benefit from shedding more salary, it would be increasingly counterproductive for the team’s direction if they opt to trade a superstar like Brown to do so.
Ultimately, this trade is not in Boston’s best interests. Acquiring solid roster pieces is typically considered a good practice. But parting ways with a talented two-way star to do so is considered unwise.
When additionally factoring in the recent season-ending injury suffered by Suggs, along with Isaac’s prolonged absence due to injury a few years ago, the Celtics would be warned against doing this trade.
While Tatum’s injury recovery is likely to see him sidelined for the season, his recent progress has presented an extremely positive outlook for the future. In this regard, breaking up their star duo would portray the organization as impatient, something the fan base will not be very content with, especially with new ownership taking over.
Boston has, however, opted for a different approach toward their cap space-clearing practices. With ongoing efforts to facilitate trades for Anfernee Simons, the Celtics are more likely to offload the young guard to shed salary and allow Boston to retool as a championship contender next summer.
