Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown unlikely to be moved in any Damian Lillard deal

Boston Celtics fans fearing for the end of the ‘Jays’ in a deal involving Damian Lillard oughta breathe a big sigh of relief and enjoy their day.

Lillard’s contract and struggles this season have many worried about the long-term viability of landing him. Over $130 million is owed to the 31-year-old over the next three seasons, so if this is the beginning of the slide, the end of it will be even more disastrous than the C’s current state.

Because make no mistake about it, things are undoubtedly disastrous at this moment in time. Boston is below .500 and could fall several games under after the defending champs and league-leader in wins come to town next.

A Lillard trade is an attractive way to get out of this funk, but the Cs don’t seem intent on delivering what Portland is likely looking for in a potential deal. And while Lillard has spoken about wanting to team up with a defender of Jaylen Brown’s caliber, there doesn’t appear to be any likelihood that such a deal is in the ether or ever will be just yet:

"I’ve received no indications that the team would be looking to move Brown this season in a deal for the All-Star. Any trade offer for Lillard would likely include the majority of Boston’s remaining trade assets beyond Brown/Tatum rather than Brown himself."

A Boston Celtics Mailbag reader had asked Brian Robb about a hypothetical Jaylen Brown/Dennis Schroder for Damian Lillard swap before he crushed the idea of any configuration of a Brown/Lillard trade.

MassLive previously had stated that any Lillard-Celtics talks would begin and end with Brown. This may be the #1 sign that Lillard likely isn’t ending up in green as things stand right now.

That’s a shame in some ways, but Lillard isn’t the only target that would improve the current situation. There are cheaper point guard options out there that would go for what President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens is realistically willing to part with.