How Trail Blazers can still pull off blockbuster Jaylen Brown trade after Ja Morant deal

The Portland Trail Blazers have made their first trade of the NBA offseason, and it wasn't for Jaylen Brown.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Blazers are acquiring point guard Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies for forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. Portland didn't have to send any draft capital to Memphis to add the two-time All-Star.

With Morant joining the Blazers' backcourt, the position group has suddenly gotten crowded. Morant, Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe can't all get minutes, which signals another trade could be on the horizon in Portland.

How Blazers can still trade for Jaylen Brown after Morant deal

Though the Blazers may seem eliminated from the Brown sweepstakes after making a move for Morant, a trade for the Boston Celtics' All-NBA forward is still very much possible.

First off, NBA on Prime insider Chris Haynes reported shortly after the Morant trade to Portland that the team plans on starting the 2019 No. 2 overall pick with Lillard in the backcourt.

"The Portland Trail Blazers envision a starting backcourt of Damian Lillard and Ja Morant alongside Deni Avdija on the wing," Haynes said.

If this is true, then Henderson, Sharpe, and Holiday would all be coming off the bench, which wouldn't make much sense.

We already know Boston holds Holiday in high regard, given he was a core piece of their title team back in 2024. So could the Blazers pair Holiday with Henderson and Sharpe, along with premium draft capital, in a trade package to the Celtics for Brown? It's not out of the realm of possibilities.

Brown would be a perfect fit with Portland as the team's No. 1 option. He would also be able to pick up the defensive slack of the Morant and Lillard backcourt, who should light up the statsheet on the offensive end.

We'll see whether Boston even decides to trade Brown. Celtics President Brad Stevens has remained active in trade talks involving Brown, but his asking price is incredibly high. Would a Blazers' package of Holiday, Henderson, Sharpe, and draft picks be enough for Boston?