Celtics could trade Jaylen Brown to Mavericks for generational Duke forward, per writer

Although ESPN’s Tim MacMahon revealed that the Dallas Mavericks, who will make the first selection in the 2025 NBA draft, don’t intend to trade the pick, many believe the franchise could soon be involved in a blockbuster deal. 

The Athletic’s John Hollinger’s recent trade idea stunningly sends the Boston Celtics' No. 2 scoring option, Jaylen Brown, to the Mavericks for a generational Duke forward.

"The other avenue, we must whisper, is asking Boston about Jaylen Brown,” Hollinger wrote Tuesday. 

"Brown is a much easier positional fit next to (Anthony) Davis and (Dereck) Lively, but he’s owed $236 million over the next four seasons, and the Celtics’ roster gets frighteningly expensive next season.”

"Would Boston mind resetting around a New England native and waiting out a gap year if (Jayson) Tatum needs it to recover? For that matter, would Dallas do this unless it also had considerable capital coming back in addition to Brown?”

The Celtics received devastating news on Tuesday. Tatum, who leads Boston in scoring, suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during the Celtics' Monday night playoff contest against the New York Knicks.

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Unfortunately, Tatum will likely miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 campaign to rehab his lower-body injury, which could cause the organization to take a noticeable step back. 

Even with a second consecutive NBA title victory, it would be challenging to envision the Celtics keeping their roster intact this summer. 

Contributors like Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis are all believed to be primary trade bait assets in free agency, with Boston looking to cut costs. 

Flagg possesses a ridiculously high upside in the big leagues. The future All-Star’s incredible two-way instincts, high intensity, and unteachable athletic gifts will help carve out an impressive NBA career.

The one-and-done 6-foot-forward filled the stat sheet at Duke, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks per contest while finishing with respectable shooting splits. 

However, the 2023 NBA champions are expected to target experienced and proven assets that could help the franchise remain competitive despite potentially losing an X-factor in Brown, with an NBA Finals MVP award on his resume. 

To put it simply, a Brown and Flagg swap would not be a beneficial investment for a franchise that wants to win now.

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