By now, you’ve surely heard the loud whispers about a potential trade that would bring Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Celtics and likely send Jaylen Brown elsewhere. While it would be painful for many fans to see JB leave Boston, it would be understandable to add one of the best players in the league, like Giannis.
Recently, there has been some reporting about other teams showing interest in Brown, outside of Milwaukee. We’ve specifically heard Marc Stein state that the Rockets, Hawks, and Trail Blazers are all known suitors for Brown. The assumption is that those teams would be getting involved as a third team in a Giannis deal, as JB makes little sense for the rebuilding Bucks, but should have great value elsewhere.
However, this hasn’t been specifically reported, and all we know is that the Bucks and Celtics haven’t talked. Which means that the Celtics may be canvassing the league to find Brown’s value so that they can flip those assets for Giannis. But it also could mean that the Celtics are considering moving JB in other deals for a combination of good players and assets instead of a true superstar upgrade. And that would be nuts.
Jays should only be split up for clear, immediate upgrade
If the Celtics can flip Brown for a player on Giannis’ level that would clearly enhance their title odds immediately, then so be it. But otherwise, moving him makes no sense. The Jays have proven to be the best duo in basketball over the last 9 years.
Their track record of success is unrivaled, and it remains a massive advantage to have two extremely versatile two-way wings who can play together or lead the team by themselves when necessary. JB just took a leap and had the best year of his career, and Tatum has a full offseason to fully recover from his torn Achilles. The tandem should be firing on all cylinders to start the 2026-27 season.
Brown’s value is at an all-time high, so if a true superstar (like Giannis) can be had, Brad Stevens and company have to give that serious consideration. But if the move is just for spare parts or nice complementary players, I couldn’t be more out.
Celtics don’t need depth upgrades
Despite how Joe Mazzulla utilized his roster in the playoffs, this team already has great depth and thrives on the margins. They have two great centers in Neemy Queta and Luka Garza on minimum deals, Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard have scam contracts, and Huge Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and Ron Harper Jr. are all ready for bigger roles and playing on bargain-basement deals.
Boston could marginally upgrade on some of those guys, but that would likely be a negative value proposition in a lot of cases. The top-end talent on the roster is the bigger issue, as Tatum and Brown faded down the stretch of the Philly series. They are, and should be, capable of better, but the answer certainly isn’t turning JB into two, three, or even four inferior players.
Could they possibly improve at some positions? Yes. But at what cost? If the Celtics come back with a lesser number-two next to Tatum next season, they aren’t winning anything. The best path remains leaning into the youth movement, accentuating the Jays, and using their TPE and MLE to target buy-low players to boost the core. Unless a Giannis trade becomes too tantalizing to resist, that remains the best path forward.
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