3 NBA teams that should trade for Jaylen Brown after Boston Celtics fallout

A trade never materialized, and Brown became a Finals MVP and a champion in 2024. However, 2026 saw the Celtics fail at moving him again, this time for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Let’s take a look at three potential destinations for Brown if he finally forces his hand to move to a franchise that will appreciate him.

Toronto Raptors’ star hunt can end with Jaylen Brown

The Raptors send RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, and first-round pick swaps in 2032 and 2030.

Barrett would fit well as a swingman for the Celtics, averaging 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists last season. The Celtics could just as easily demand Brandon Ingram as the prized returning asset as well, but Barrett is a more like-for-like replacement.

Poeltl has an unflattering contract, but he averaged 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds last season and might be the perfect solution for the Celtics’ woes at center. The Celtics could easily get the Raptors to offer more draft compensation to this deal if Poeltl’s contract becomes a sticking point.

Brown can become the No. 1 offensive option on the Raptors with a strong defensive infrastructure behind him with Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles.

This is Barnes’ team, so Brown might not be the franchise leader. However, he’ll unquestionably be the best scoring option on the entire team, a role he’s wanted to embrace for a long time.

Portland Trail Blazers take a bold leap by acquiring Jaylen Brown

The Blazers could build a package around Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe to entice the Celtics into a deal, with the draft compensation being the main sticking point.

The Celtics would get a positional replacement with long-term upside with Sharpe, who averaged 20.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists last season. Grant is a veteran 3-and-D forward who averaged 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists last season.

Both likely would be starters for the Celtics, while Brown becomes the premier scoring threat on the Blazers.

He’ll likely partner with Damian Lillard or Scoot Henderson in the backcourt, with Deni Avdija likely remaining the team’s priority.

With Brown having three years on his contract, the Blazers could acquire him without requiring a long-term guarantee. Brown might have to play second fiddle to another star forward in Portland, but Avdija’s scoring skillset isn’t as good as Jayson Tatum’s, giving Brown more opportunity regardless.

Jaylen Brown becomes the final piece for the Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks will undoubtedly pay the highest price if they acquire Brown, since they become active threats to the win-now Celtics as well.

The Celtics likely will draw their floor on a package with Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, and Zaccharie Risascher.

Daniels and Okongwu are instant winning-impact players for the Celtics, with Okongwu in particular addressing their biggest weakness. Okongwu averaged 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks last season.

Daniels is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, averaging 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 2.0 steals last season. Risascher is being disregarded as a bust, but the former No. 1 overall pick could revive his career in Boston.

Brown would likely play as a forward in Atlanta with a backcourt of C.J. McCollum and Nickeil-Alexander Walker behind him. He could be in the backcourt if McCollum plays as a sixth man, which is unlikely.

This is Brown’s hometown team, and he’d unquestionably be their offensive leader for the next season. Losing both Daniels and Okongwu might create defensive issues, but the Jalen Johnson-led defense will still be competitive.