The Orlando Magic's offense gets a big boost with the addition of Celtics guard Jaylen Brown in one of Bleacher Report's recent mock trade ideas.
The projected trade sends the 2023-24 Finals MVP Brown and his remaining $236 million contract to the Magic for Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Black, Moritz Wagner, a 2028 first-round pick (top-1-protected) and a 2030 first-round pick (top-6-protected).
"This is mostly about saving cash for Boston," Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes writes. "But Black is a promising guard prospect, while Isaac is among the league's best defenders. His remaining four years and $59 million is only guaranteed for a total of $23 million. Wagner could replace free agent Al Horford and comes off the books after his 2025-26 team option."
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic in game four of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at the Kia Center. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic in game four of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at the Kia Center. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Hughes also pointed out Brown's effectiveness in the playoffs in his reasoning, describing him as a "legitimate star." Along with the 2023-24 Finals MVP, Brown won the 2023-24 Eastern Conference Finals MVP, helping Boston's run to its 18th NBA championship last postseason.
Hughes notes that if the Magic "aim too low" in their efforts to improve the offense, they may be stuck with a player who can help in the regular season but not turn the tide in a postseason series.
In the first round of this year's playoffs, Brown and the Celtics eliminated the Magic in five games. Brown averaged 23 points in the series and recorded a 36-point double-double in the Celtics' 109-100 game-two victory to put Boston up 2-0.
Only three Magic players averaged ten or more points a game in the series loss: Franz Wagner (25.8), Paolo Banchero (29.4) and Wendell Carter Jr. (10.2).