Can we talk about how unimpressive Jaylen Brown has been in the ECF? He was my #1 trade target but I'm changing my mind with each passing game. 22 points on 21 shots 16 on 23 12 on 17 17 on 16 21 on 18 No extra rebounds or assists, just average. Is he playing amazing defense? I'm not watching these games, but from the narratives it seems the Heat SG and SF are a big part of why the Heat are ahead. Who's guarding him?? I skimmed through the Celtics board and while they were super toxic being down 3-1 at the time, the biggest criticism of Brown is that he has surprisingly poor handles and can be selfish. Maybe he was better with Udoka and maybe he'll be more comfortable handling the ball less once he's paid. I'm really not sure about this guy though.
but apparently Jalen Green will need a miracle to be as good as him people actually want to trade Green for Brown
He's been fine on the ball but he ball watches a lot off of it. I haven't been that impressed overall. When he's not scoring, he just doesn't do that much else. Disappears for long stretches of the game.
To be fair, this is in the conference finals against one of the best defensive teams in the league. Green would have been eaten alive out there.
Yeah I read that too on the Celtics board, that he's quite Hardenesque off ball just standing there and assuming that's enough. If it comes as I predicted at roughly the same price as Kyrie (a protected future pick or two plus a mediocre role player) and the option to sign the supermax is off the table, of course I'd still do it. Even if it's just to flip him. There's an advantage we have in that he loves Udoka and Udoka got the best out of him in terms of sharing the ball and playing defense. However, I would be concerned if the team gave up too much for him. I hope Feigen is right that Stone is willing to roll over the cap space and wait a year before making risky decisions like that. Can we give him supermax? I know that if Boston gives it to him then he can't be traded for a year.
Not really. A 26 year old Green would not be eaten alive out there because he has a historically elite skill (getting past his man) and will be 20lbs stronger than he is now for that contact at the rim. A 21 year old Green would of course get eaten alive out there. The only 21 year olds who wouldn't get eaten alive out there are all time greats like Hakeem, Lebron, Jordan. When Brown was Jalen's age (20) he couldn't average 10ppg. When Brown was 21 and 22 he couldn't eclipse 15ppg. He had practically no iso scoring ability. He has never in his 7-year career gone to the line more than Jalen went this season. Offensively they are not in same tier. It's defense that separates Brown. Defense is really really important, it's half of all possessions in a game. Brown doesn't seem to be elite at it otherwise he would be the answer to Jimmy Butler torching the Celtics. However he's still a pretty good defender and that makes more of a difference than a few ppg. Jalen, however, is going to surprise us defensively. I think his defense will end up very similar to Brown's.
I think you can make a genuine argument that Jalen Green right now is a better playmaker for others than Brown currently in his prime. To make Green obviously better than Brown when he reaches his prime defense going to be key. Because I can safely assume that he'll be a more prolific offensive player than Brown.
Brown is a top 20ish player because of his frame/rebounding/two way ability. I am open to trading for him at the max contract, but he is not your primary score or you primary distributor. I imagine that he could be your primary perimeter defender, but then he would get a bit tired, and it would sap his ability to be the number two on the other end. I really like Brown for us because he has players (Green/Porter/Sengun) who can carry the offensive creation. Despite recent struggles I’m still down for #4+#20+ 2026 Brooklyn pick if he would sign a max extension. Sengun/Lopez Smith/KMJ Brown/Eason Green/ Porter/Vet PG Leaves Christopher+Garba+Washington+ remaining Brooklyn assets to trade down the line.
There was a moment there where if the Celtics got totally embarrassed and swept by Miami you could see them making major changes, and maybe even squint and see Brown becoming the scapegoat. But now that they've made a good showing of it, I think they'll probably just run it back even if they lose tonight. (Mazzulla is still in the hot seat though.) Maybe they would talk to us about one of their non-stars like Smart or a SnT for Williams if they want to retool a bit?
Honestly they'd be stupid to break up the main core of that team in Tatum and Brown. Dudes are 25 and 26. They got a lot of years ahead of them to run it back.
I was so close to typing that too, but Brown has some excellent playoff appearances and he has a few seasons averaging more than 25ppg. He's definitely better right now than Jalen was last season, but I'm not 100% sure that will be the consensus by the end of next season when Brown is an FA. If Udoka miraculously helps Green go from bad to mediocre defender, we'll be having an actual conversation about who's the better player overall.
Possibly Brown of the Celtics might cost us too much ! Although I like him for our team ! Consider we might have one or two experienced player on the team, eating up most of the open to buy, I now suggest Bruce Brown of Denver.!
There's serious talk of them trading one of Smart, White or Brogdon. Celtics fans say Brogdon has been getting targeted majorly these playoffs and he doesn't seem happy in his city again. Allegedly Harden abused him in the Philly series. Smart has been bad at playmaking and keeps trying to do things he can't do. White seems to be their favorite. I would take any of them. I would be ecstatic to get Smart. They have an issue where Tatum/Brown are not natural playmakers for others so Smart may not be a good fit. However he would be excellent for bringing the ball up and giving it to Sengun. Smart and Udoka would be an even better culture reset than Udoka/Bev or Udoka/CP3.
Udoka coached White in SA & Boston. I would expect Rox to target him. I don't think Udoka really coached Brogdon in Boston iIRC. Cannot see Celts giving up their tone setter on defense (Smart).
White is the favorite to stay and has been their best PG in the playoffs. Don't think he's available at all. He also doesn't seem like he's a fan of Udoka (can you tell I spent way too much time on a Celtics board lol). Smart is amazing and they're aware but just the worst possible fit with two wing guys who are not great passers. They would not trade him cheap, but I think he will be available.
We either do a sign and trade for Harden or just sign him for 43 million a year. However, we need to sign a shot blocker or draft Lively and sign a shooter like Grant William for shooting and toughness. On a sign and trade we need to include KJ, Tate, Garuba and maybe KPJ if he does not want to be our 6th Man
I think with their looming tax bill & having to pay Brown, White may become available. (That's part of the reason why many people thought Brown may be obtainable.) But I will defer to your knowledge of the Celts.
In the Philly series, during Harden's bad games, Jaylen Brown was the main defender. They took away the Harden / Embid pick n roll. Harden did unselfishly pass to other teammates, but their option B/C, wasn't enough. Again the idea is to get Brown to play with Green, not replace him. White Smart Brown -> SF Tatum Horford. Brown is their SF not SG, both Brown and Green also can play off ball, so if Sen-hub or an imaginary Henderson-hub; they'd still fit.
You could be right, I'm just sharing speculation from Celtics fans. They could dump Horford's expiring if they decide to re-tool the roster (and I'd love to pick him up). Smart would be their avenue for upgrading at PF or SG. White seems to be a good two way player who plays the right way and is competent at running the offense. I'd love to have him but I find it hard to believe they'd trade him before the other two because that would put them in greater need of a PG. Maybe for FVV or something, I don't know.
