One NBA writer is proposing that the Boston Celtics trade Jaylen Brown to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Donovan Mitchell in a wild blockbuster trade. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Celtics and Cavaliers:
The Trade: Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard and 2024 first-round pick (top-four protected, via GSW) to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Donovan Mitchell
“Boston would be in no rush to move Brown since he can’t be traded before late January, but if it becomes obvious this core won’t capture the crown, then he’d become an obvious trade candidate,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “The Shamrocks would need to move the 26-year-old for another star, and the security that comes with his contract could be coveted by Cleveland, which might be worried about Mitchell wanting out when he can reach free agency in 2025.
“If the Celtics landed Mitchell, they’d have a wealth of shot-creation (and possibly enough passing) between him and Jayson Tatum. Tack on Kristaps Porziņģis to round out Boston’s new Big Three and the strong supporting cast it would have around that trio, and this could be the deal that finally helps Boston solve its championship puzzle.”
NBA TRADE, NEWS & RUMORS: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics, Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
Brown signed a five-year, $304 million supermax extension with the Celtics this summer. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season while shooting 49.1% from the field, 33.5% from beyond the arc and 76.5% from the free-throw line. Brown was eligible to sign a designated veteran extension because he made an All-NBA team last season.
Brown is slated to make $52.3 million when his new contract kicks in during the 2024-25 season and $69.1 million in 2028-29, the final year of the deal. He was not eligible for a no-trade clause because he signed an extension.
The Celtics have had a lot of success with Brown and Jayson Tatum. They have reached four conference finals and one NBA Finals. However, Boston lost the 2022 NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors in six games despite having a 2-1 lead in the series.
In November 2020, Mitchell signed a five-year, $163 million rookie scale extension with the Utah Jazz. The 26-year-old will make $32.6 million next season and $34.8 million in 2024-25. Mitchell can become an unrestricted free agent in 2025 if he declines his 2025-26 player option worth $37.1 million.
Mitchell is one of the best players in the NBA. He averaged 28.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists last season for the Cavaliers while shooting 48.4% from the floor, 38.6% from 3 and 86.7% from the free-throw line.
NBA TRADE, NEWS & RUMORS: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics, Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
No one around the NBA expects the Celtics to trade Brown to the Cavaliers for Mitchell. However, it’s fun to think about what that trade would look like.
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