Boston Celtics eyeing Jaylen Brown replacement after blockbuster trade

Apr 3, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (25) during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics shocked the NBA world by trading star forward Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers, and they might not be done dealing. 

The Celtics could use the assets they received from Philadelphia in the Brown trade to potentially orchestrate another move, and they already have a target in mind. 

Boston Celtics interested in Trey Murphy III

According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, the Celtics are eyeing New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, who still has three years remaining on his current contract. 

Though not as accomplished as Brown, Murphy III could a lot of the same things on the court and fill a similar role for Boston. 

"The Celtics can spin that the pair of first-rounders they picked up have value. And they do. The 2028 one will likely end up as the Clippers’, who are beginning a rebuild with an Aspiration-sized anvil over their head," Mannix wrote. 

"The ’31 pick is Philadelphia’s and, hey, who knows where the Sixers will be in four years. Boston has kicked the tires on Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, sources say. This deal gives them more assets to pursue him." 

It remains to be seen if Murphy will be actually made available by New Orleans this summer. If he is, he'll have no shortage of suitors, so the Celtics would face some stiff competition to acquire him. But, if they're able to it would certainly lessen the sting of losing an elite two-way player in Brown. 

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