Trade No. 2: Acquire Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown is not quite the star that Embiid and Durant are, but he’s a two-time All-Star likely on the bubble of being chosen for an All-NBA team this season. He’ll be valued as such in any trade the Boston Celtics consider for him.
Brown’s recent quote concerning his future with the team via The Ringer has caused a lot of trade speculation.
"We’ll see how they feel about me over time and I feel about them over time. Hopefully, whatever it is, it makes sense. But I will stay where I’m wanted. I will stay where I’m needed and treated correct."
While it’s unlikely the Celtics want to break up The Jays – Brown and Jayson Tatum – Brown could force their hand entering the last year of his current deal.
Brown would be both “needed and treated correct” in Portland as one of the best two-way wings in the NBA. His 27 points, 7 rebounds, 49.4 percent shooting, and perennial All-NBA level defense would be a welcome addition at guard or forward.
The Celtics would likely want close to an Embiid-level haul for Brown, and the Blazers could do it. It’s unlikely they could avoid trading both Simons and Sharpe to get Brown.
Potential lineup following this trade: Damian Lillard, Jaylen Brown, Matisse Thybulle/Cam Reddish, Jerami Grant, Jusuf Nurkic