The Jaylen Brown sweepstakes: seven trades that make sense
DIRECT ANSWER: Jaylen Brown is still on the Boston Celtics trade market after a failed Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit, and The Ringer mapped seven realistic suitors—including Portland, which Blazer's Edge reports as the front-runner. Boston wants a star big man and up to four first-round picks, while Portland has kept All-Star Deni Avdija off the table.
Key Takeaways
- The Celtics shopped Brown for Giannis and remain open to moving the 2024 Finals MVP if they can diversify their attack, add interior size, and collect draft capital without falling out of contention.
- Portland is viewed as the front-runner, with Sam Amick reporting Boston has asked for up to four first-round picks while the Blazers have shielded Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan from talks.
- The Ringer outlined seven trade frameworks involving Portland, Houston, Atlanta, Sacramento, Denver, the Clippers, and Cleveland—including a Brown-for-Evan Mobley idea Yahoo Sports highlighted.
- The Ringer notes apron-era math and a $180 million-plus contract through 2029 make a high-return sale plausible even though Brown remains a multiple-time All-Star.
Why is Jaylen Brown still on the trade block?
Less than two years after hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy, Brown remains available after Boston reportedly offered him to Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo, who ultimately landed in Miami. The Ringer writes that the Celtics still value Brown but face apron-era pressure: he turns 30 in October, carries more than $180 million over three seasons, and may have peaked statistically.
Yahoo Sports reports there is "no secret" Boston is shopping Brown this offseason, largely to add a big man to the frontcourt. That tension defines one of the summer's hottest NBA storylines in our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
Why are the Portland Trail Blazers the front-runner?
According to Blazer's Edge, The Athletic's Sam Amick identifies Portland as the "front-runner," citing league sources who say the Celtics want as many as four first-round picks. The Blazers control premium draft assets—including an unprotected 2028 Orlando pick and favorable Milwaukee and Boston firsts in 2029—plus salary ballast in Jerami Grant.
Portland has reportedly kept Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan out of negotiations, leaving Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, and others as trade chips. The Ringer's Justin Verrier flags a fit concern: both Brown and Deni Avdija are downhill creators who thrived with the ball last season, when Avdija made his first All-Star team.
Could the Celtics send Brown to Cleveland for Evan Mobley?
Yahoo Sports spotlighted The Ringer's Eastern Conference angle: Boston sends Brown and Jordan Walsh to Cleveland for Evan Mobley and Max Strus. Isaac Levy-Rubinett wrote the Celtics would add two defenders who fit beside Jayson Tatum, while the Cavaliers could start Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Brown, Jaylon Tyson, and Jarrett Allen.
The Ringer's Howard Beck framed the debate as selling high on Mobley versus doubling down on a Mitchell-Harden backcourt. Mobley is owed $223 million over four years; Brown offers the big wing Cleveland has chased for years, but swapping a 25-year-old for a 29-year-old star is a franchise-defining gamble.
Which other teams make sense in the Brown sweepstakes?
Beyond Portland and Cleveland, The Ringer pitched frameworks with Houston (Alperen Sengun and picks), Atlanta (Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jonathan Kuminga, Zaccharie Risacher, and four firsts), Sacramento (Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and picks), Denver (Jamal Murray and Cam Johnson), and the Clippers (Kawhi Leonard plus filler). Each package reflects Boston's demand for youth, size, or draft capital.
Denver's reported interest looks unrealistic per Blazer's Edge, given what the Nuggets can offer. For now, Portland's aggressive posture—and its willingness to move young pieces while protecting Deni Avdija—keeps the Blazers atop the board as the Celtics canvass the league for a blockbuster return.