Many NBA fans and analysts are split over whether the Boston Celtics should trade Jaylen Brown this offseason, even if it helps bring back Giannis Antetokounmpo in return.
Former NBA player Vernon Maxwell, who played 13 seasons in the NBA, urged the Celtics to keep Brown during his appearance on "All The Smoke" on Wednesday.
"Boston, keep Jaylen Brown around... Keep Jaylen Brown around," Maxwell said. "Now, y'all get rid of that (expletive), there's gonna be some problems over there."
Podcast host and former NBA player Matt Barnes agreed with Maxwell.
"Two seasons removed from winning a championship. The only way I see, if I'm Boston that Jaylen Brown moves is if I get Giannis," Barnes said. "I don't think there's another player in the league that is tradeable that I'm giving up Jaylen Brown for. If it's Giannis, I'm definitely considering it. But if I'm Boston, I'm trying to run it back with the same team."
Barnes makes a good point that Brown and Jayson Tatum have already proven they can win a championship together. Giannis has won a title separately, but who knows how he would mesh with Tatum and Boston's offense.
Giannis is a better player than Brown when healthy, but he's also older and more injury-prone. Accordingly, it will be interesting to see if the Celtics go down that path and split up the Jays.
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