Boston Celtics: 2 realistic landing spots Jaylen Brown would be #1 option on

Portland Trail Blazers

Even if CJ McCollum sticks with the Trail Blazers after a Damian Lillard trade, he wouldn’t become the #1 option in Portland if they can strike a deal with the Boston Celtics. Jaylen Brown would ascend to that spot by nature of being a former top 3 pick and 2021 All-Star.

Rip City Project believes McCollum would be included in a deal for Brown, also including Marcus Smart, Anfernee Simons, and an unprotected future Portland first-rounder.

McCollum’s scoring ability slightly trails Brown’s, though, so such a deal probably isn’t plausible for the new President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. McCollum has had a much higher usage rate within the offense than Brown, but he has never reached the 24 point-per-game benchmark Brown reached this past season.

Who knows what Brown could do with extended stretches with the ball in his hands as much as McCollum has had.

Even as a secondary playmaker within the Cs offense, Brown has had more of an impact on the game than McCollum ever has in Portland. McCollum is a solid #2 or #3 option on a contender, but Brown could be the #1.

If the Boston Celtics reach an agreement for Lillard, Brown would be the new #1 in the City of Roses.