Jaylen Brown’s future has been one of the most widely discussed topics in the NBA world since the Boston Celtics offered him for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Though the Celtics’ pursuit of Antetokounmpo fell short, the noise around Brown hasn’t stopped. President of basketball operations Brad Stevens could have quieted it after the first round of the draft, but wouldn’t say definitively that Brown will be on Boston’s opening-night roster.With Brown’s situation still up in the air, we put together a roundtable with Celtics writer Jay King plus two writers covering teams reportedly interested in Brown, Toronto Raptors writer Eric Koreen and Detroit Pistons writer Hunter Patterson. Together, they examined the trade market for Brown and Boston’s potential dilemma moving forward with him.What would a sufficient trade package look like for Jaylen Brown from each team?Eric Koreen: I’m not sure if either team would do this, but that’s what potentially makes it a fair deal, right? How about Brown to the Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Collin Murray-Boyles, Gradey Dick and 2027, 2029 and 2031 first-round picks, the latter of which would be top-four protected. That is probably one pick too many from the Raptors’ point of view.The Celtics get Ingram, who can help replace Brown’s scoring, and Murray-Boyles, as close to a blue-chip prospect as the Raptors can offer. The Raptors get an All-NBA player who is ready to help maximize Scottie Barnes’ prime.Is Jaylen Brown ready to leave Boston?Zenab Keita and Esfandiar BaraheniHunter Patterson: I’d expect the Pistons to include Duncan Robinson, Ron Holland II, Caris LeVert plus their 2028, 2030 and 2032 first-round picks to entice the Celtics. The word “sufficient” here will be relative to Detroit’s roster construction, so keep that in mind. There’d likely be a salary discrepancy between Brown and the Pistons he’d be traded for, considering he’s due to make $57.1 million next season.Besides the finances, Holland would be the player with the most upside Detroit could offer. Holland will enter next season as a 21-year-old. He averaged more points, rebounds, assists and steals on a higher 3-point percentage as an NBA sophomore compared to his rookie season.If Holland’s offensive production can catch up to his defensive effectiveness, Boston would receive a player who could blossom into a two-way talent. He’d be the centerpiece of a trade that would help the Celtics space the floor with Robinson and give Boston a scorer off the bench in LeVert.Jay King: Other teams to reportedly show interest include the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers. Interestingly, given that it could mean a short-term step back, there’s a belief around the NBA that the Celtics would be open to the right package headlined by young players and picks. Such a trade would give Boston more future flexibility, but at the expense of a second-team All-NBA performer coming off a career season.One unknown piece right now is Brown’s mindset after the Celtics offered him for Antetokounmpo and continued to explore his trade market afterward. At the very least, it should be an interesting relationship dynamic for Boston’s front office to figure out moving forward if the team doesn’t reach a Brown trade after all of this noise.Which package would be most beneficial for the Celtics?Koreen: The Raptors’ deal is better. Ingram is not everyone’s cup of tea, but if healthy — a big if — he can at least replace some of Brown’s scoring volume. Plus, his length is a plus defensively, even if he falls asleep off the ball.But really, Murray-Boyles is the difference. At times last year, he looked like a surefire future All-Defense player. He was up for the moment in the playoffs, too, becoming essential as the Raptors pushed the Cavaliers to seven games. To get him in the second year of a rookie deal would be huge for Boston. The Raptors could absolutely balk at giving him up at all, or at least cut down on the picks they offer if the Celtics insisted on him.
Jaylen Brown trade debate: Should Celtics drop the hammer on a blockbuster deal?
Jaylen Brown could be a hot commodity this summer, but who can afford the Celtics' asking price?












