The worst part about when your team is heavily involved in trade rumor season with the biggest name out there is when a player that absolutely no one has a problem with has to be dangled in talks. In the Boston Celtics' case, it's Jaylen Brown. Because they have been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brown's name has come up.
In Marc Stein's latest intel, he revealed that while the Miami Heat are in the lead for Giannis (are they?), what happens could all depend on if the Celtics find a third team in the deal to take Brown.
"One of the loudest questions circulating throughout the league at the moment: Miami might still be widely regarded as the most likely destination for Antetokounmpo … but what sort of market is going to form for Jaylen Brown to join the trade construction as a third team if the Bucks and Celtics advance to a serious stage in Giannis-to-Boston talks?
"Portland, Houston and Atlanta are teams routinely mentioned as suitors with Brown interest, but the sheer salary numbers do add a layer of complexity to any talks. Brown, who turns 30 in October, just assembled a career season but also has three years and $183 million left on his current contract," Stein wrote.
It makes sense. The Bucks are trading Giannis to rebuild. Hence, there's no need for someone like Brown. It will all depend on who Boston would send Brown to. All three of the teams Stein brought up are ones he's mentioned before.
While the Celtics want Giannis, they also don't want Brown coming back to bite them. Hence, don't be surprised if they try to make sure they sent him out West.
If Brown were on the Hawks, that would be trouble
The Hawks have some appealing assets to dangle to Milwaukee for Giannis, including the No. 8 pick and the Bucks pick in 2027. That would definitely appeal to them, but Boston might not be so keen on sending Brown there because it makes the Hawks all the more formidable threat.
We must remember that this was the same Atlanta team that, if and until San Antonio proves otherwise, gave the New York Knicks the most trouble in these playoffs, being up 2-1. The reason why the Knicks stormed was because the Hawks lack that No. 1 guy that could push them to be among the elite in the East.
But what player could they get that could vault them to that level? Surely it wouldn't be that guy who led his team to the No. 2 seed without its designated best player while also coming within inches of making his first All-NBA first team?
So if you couldn't catch my drift, Brown on the Hawks may not necessarily make them better than the Celtics, but it makes them a threat. Also, Celtics fans should know by now that nothing fuels Brown better than doubt. Playing for his hometown team and against the team that gave up on him, he has all the fuel to prove the Celtics wrong.
To be fair, sending him to Houston or Portland would also make them scarier, but at least that would be the Western Conference's problem. Brown's season of vengeance would be upon Boston, but at least not in a way in which that would be a problem in the playoffs.
Add us as a preferred source on Google