Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown and Josh Giddey swapped in ITT mock trade

Hardwood Houdini is on a season-long crusade to squash any mock trade that involves the Boston Celtics parting with Jaylen Brown.

But a recent mock trade involving the Oklahoma City Thunder’s recent lottery selection Josh Giddey has us at least thinking twice before doing so.

Now, let me preface all of this by saying that any deal involving OKC going all-in to contend for the final NBA Play-in spot is a tad far-fetched at this point in the 2021-22 season. Currently three games out of the #10 seed, it’s not the most outrageous thought, but it will be after the next few weeks sees the Thunder freefall down the standings.

But, if the Cs were offered Giddey–who is averaging 11 points, 7.5 rebounds, and six assists in his rookie season–for Jaylen Brown, the Houdini would be far from upset. We’d say no if we had control of Boston Celtics President of Basketball Brad Stevens’ neurological functions, but there’d be no hurt feelings.

Here’s Inside The Thunder’s Derek Parker’s mock trade package:

"Oklahoma City’s Offer: Luguentz Dort, Josh Giddey, Derrick Favors, 2024 Thunder FRP, 2023 Clippers FRP for Jaylen Brown, Aaron Nesmith"

Why the Boston Celtics turn this offer down

Give it up to Parker for coming up with a strong offer that makes one think twice before yearning for the status quo of the ‘Jays’.

Two future first-round draft picks, a potential future franchise cornerstone floor general, and two win-now role players that fit schematically next to Jayson Tatum is better than what most come up with when it comes to mock Jaylen Brown trades.

The issue here is that even if Brown was traded, the Cs wouldn’t be planning for the future. The focus is still on the current season, so one would imagine it’d take a true needle-mover for Boston to give up on Brown just yet.

Giddey could become that, but as of now, he isn’t yet an asset worth blowing up a (should-be) contender for.