Ja Morant trade could dramatically reshape Trail Blazers' pursuit of Celtics star Jaylen Brown

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As of recently, the Boston Celtics’ biggest suitor to take Jaylen Brown from them was the Portland Trail Blazers, but their most recent move does change things quite significantly.

Just today, the Blazers traded for Ja Morant, bringing out conflicting reports and presumptions regarding their pursuit of Brown. Many believe the Blazers are now done, but many others believe it might be time for Portland to go all-in and acquire Brown.

Blazers’ salary cap has hit the limit

Because Portland took on Morant, they now are hard capped to the first apron. They have four roster spots to fill, and limited room to do it. They could trade away a few role players, but that would make them have to get cheap replacements that don’t bring the production that the people they dealt would.

So, bringing Brown’s $60 million per year contract into the equation definitely makes things more complicated, to the point the trade may no longer work. However, there’s still a small chance it does.

There are ways to still make a blockbuster work

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Now, because of this trade, the Blazers have way too many guards. Including Morant, the Blazers now have Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe, and Scoot Henderson.

It seems Holiday will be the first to go, as his contract is the biggest. Boston may take that on, but there is another package that Portland has that could be more attractive. That being Donovan Clingan, Henderson, Sharpe and a pick(s).

If a package centered around the former is offered, Boston will probably decline. However, if the latter is offered, it might be too good to pass up.

Should Boston push for it?

In all honesty, it is a toss up. If the Celtics cannot get a package that makes them better than they would be with Brown, or sets them up to be better with top picks, then why do it?

On the other hand, Brown has grown frustrated with the organization, after multiple attempts to trade him, especially in the last couple weeks. If they cannot reconcile with their Finals MVP, then finding him a new home might be for the best, especially if he decides to start sitting out. Portland is also probably the only destination that can give them the picks they want for Brown, and the big man they want to get this offseason.

Hopefully one of the two better options come to pass, those being either Boston finds the trade it’s looking for, or they make amends with their superstar, and the Jays duo continues to live on for the Celtics.

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