Boston Celtics Jaylen Brown trade idea
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Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics is ejected after arguing a call against the San Antonio Spurs in the second period at Frost Bank Center on March 10, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
The Boston Celtics are once again coming to grips with figuring out how Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum fit together amid the latter’s return from an Achilles injury.
While Tatum is still rounding into form, which could take him a while to get back to his pre-injury shape and overall output, he still feels like the fan favorite in Boston.
That means that if Brad Stevens and the front office go forward with Tatum once he’s back to 100%, the Celtics could begin to explore trade ideas for Brown, as he is at his peak value with his performance this season, and the team could get back a strong haul for the wing All-Star in return.
Celtics Trade Jaylen Brown In Blockbuster Idea
Celtics Jaylen Brown trade idea
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 04: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts after making a basket against the Charlotte Hornets during the first half at the TD Garden on March 04, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Though the thought of Boston trading Brown is very unlikely, nothing in the NBA should everbe ruled out. Here’s the trade idea Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed:
Boston Celtics Receive: F Lauri Markkanen, G/F Ace Bailey, F/C Kyle Filipowski, 2027 first-round pick (via Los Angeles Lakers, top-4 protected)
Utah Jazz Receive: G/F Jaylen Brown
Again, the Celtics moving on from Brownjust lives in this hypothetical world. However,it’s not like the idea of the team trading him isanything new, as before theywent on a title run together, there were heavy rumors about the team either moving him or Tatum andgoing forward with just one of the star forwards.
Hater Report
Jaylen Brown reveals Tracy McGrady convinced him to stay with the Celtics and Jayson Tatum instead of asking for a trade after the 2019 2nd round loss to the Bucks in the Playoffs.
“If Brown doesn’t want to play a sidekick role alongside Jayson Tatum any longer, the Jazz would be an intriguing new home,” Swartz wrote on this Celtics trade idea.
In this trade idea, Boston gets back Markkanen, who, on a massive deal of his own, would be a strong big man shooter and floor spacer next to Tatum. While the team’s two wings don’t get in each other’s way as much as their individual play styles might make it seem, Boston saw immense success with Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, while Markkanen would only be an upgrade from those two.
“The Celtics get some help now and in the future. Markkanen is averaging 26.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game and should be in the prime of his career at age 28. Bailey was the No. 5 overall pick last summer and Filipowski, 22, is putting up 13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists in his 30 starts,” Swartz added. “A lightly protected first-rounder from the Lakers next summer helps Boston part with Brown.”
If the Celtics commit to Tatum andputting players around him for the future, someone like Markkanen, as well as Filipowski and Bailey, wouldn’t be bad options. Brown has maintained that he liked leading a team on his own, and if he really wants that, Boston could get a massive trade haul for the 29-year-old in the prime of his career.
Another Bold Celtics Trade Idea
While the idea of trading Brown might not be top of mind for Celtics fans at this point in the season, adding another big man should be a priority for the team.
They traded for Nikola Vucevic at the deadline, but he subsequentlywent down with a finger injury and is expected to missmore time. And though Neemias Queta looks like one of the best-value players in the NBA, trading for another good-value center could be in the cards for Boston this offseason.
Here’s another Celtics trade idea by Swartz:
Boston Celtics Receive:Goga Bitadze, 2026 second-round pick (projected No. 49 overall)
Orlando Magic Receive: 2026 first-round pick (projected No. 27 overall)
First-rounders shouldn’t matter a whole lot for the Celtics, and being able to add the defensive ability of Bitadze would be well worth this price.
“Bitadze is one of the more underrated big men in the NBA. Primarily in a backup role for Orlando, the 26-year-old is averaging 13.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.5 blocks per 36 minutes of play,” Swartz wrote on this deal. “On a team-friendly $7.6 million contract next year, Bitadze would be a good rotation big at the cost of moving down about 20 spots overall in the draft.”
While the Celtics are playing very well this seasonamid Tatum’s injury return, they expect tokeep competing for titles as long as he and Brownare on the roster. With that, they shouldbe expected to stay busy this offseason in the trade market in hopes of capitalizing on an already championship-winning duo.