HH swaps Jaylen Brown for Ben Simmons, De’Aaron Fox in mock trades

You won’t see Hardwood Houdini publishing Jaylen Brown trade pieces in the next month leading into the NBA’s February 10th trade deadline.

That certainly isn’t going to stop other publications from doing so, however.

HoopsHabit, FanSided’s all-encompassing NBA site, came up with two different offers for the Boston Celtics superstar. Both involved landing a point guard. None involved an actual upgrade in the process.

The Cs are seen as a team that could potentially begin rebuilding, but these deals would make the team weaker in the short-term without acquiring a long-term cost-controlled young player that usually is required in a deal for a star of Brown’s caliber.

Let’s take a look at each, and dissect why the Celtics wouldn’t do them:

"76ers receive: Jaylen Brown, Dennis Schroder, Juancho HernangomezCeltics receive: Ben Simmons, Georges Niang, Shake Milton"

Why the Boston Celtics wouldn’t trade Jaylen Brown in this deal

We start off with the ol’ reliable Jaylen Brown rumor: the Ben Simmons swap. This offer was debunked by Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens when it initially hit the news cycle, but it has been one that the internet won’t let die.

This particular arrangement costs the Cs their most valuable realistic trade asset, Dennis Schroder, as well. Even without him in the deal, the Cs would be coming away with very few assets in a deal they are not only giving away the best player but also taking on a significant long-term contract owned by a player sitting out the current campaign despite being healthy.

Let’s move onto the next mock trade we would say no to if we were in Stevens’ shoes…

"Kings receive: Jaylen Brown, Dennis Schroder, Juancho Hernangomez, Bruno Fernando, 2023 Second-Round PickCeltics receive: De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes"

Why the Boston Celtics wouldn’t trade Jaylen Brown in this deal

So the last deal didn’t give the Celtics any draft capital for their 1A superstar. But this one actually takes one away in addition to having Jaylen Brown once again be the best player being moved in the transaction?

Super pass.

If the Sacramento Kings do feel they are having a player like Brown away from being a contender, they would surely not be able to pawn off two players that don’t figure into the long-term plans of the franchise anyway to do so. Harrison Barnes figures to be dealt before being resigned in 2023 while De’Aaron Fox is a direct roadblock to Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell in the backcourt.

Say it with me, Cs fans: Stop trying to trade for Jaylen Brown before the trade deadline. It’s not happening!