The Portland Trail Blazers are the “front-runner” to land Boston Celtics All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick. In a story framed around Denver Nuggets MVP center Nikola Jokic (subscription required), Portland gets an important mention:
But no realistic star player targets have yet emerged, with the Nuggets’ reported interest in [Jaylen] Brown unrealistic because of what they’re able and willing to offer. (The Celtics, per league sources, have been asking for up to four
first-round picks; Portland is seen as the front-runner there.)
The Blazers in recent days are reported to have kept Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan out of trade talks, leaving Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, and others as both salary ballast and enticement to a Boston Celtics team who may have sensed discontent from Brown’s camp one too many times for comfort.
The Blazers own an unprotected 2028 Orlando Magic first round pick, the more favorable of the Bucks’ and Celtics’ first round picks in 2029, multiple pick swaps with the Milwaukee Bucks, and their own picks that in some combination may be packaged with players to pry Brown from Celtics GM Brad Stevens’ clutches.
You tell us: what balance of players and picks would you be okay with in return for the 29-year-old Brown, who would be among the best players the Blazers have traded for in franchise history?
