Putting Jaylen, a player who has proven himself a more than capable starter and a top team performer in the playoffs on the bench for Hayward is an incredibly shorthanded move.
If you are concerned about Smarts playmaking abilty then get a new pg. If you insist on starting the lesser player over Brown because he is so darn special of a player 2 years ago before he broke his ankle off, then trade Brown for a proper center.
Having 3 wings on the team and a pathetic frontcourt seems illogical. Break up the plethora of wings and get a bigman.
I understand this assessment, but the trading value of Hayward and Brown is very low right now.
If you want to trade Hayward you need to take back bad contracts or even give up assets to get rid of him. In fact if the Celtics would take on another horrible contract like Batum, Hardaway, Dieng, Wiggins or Parsons for Hayward I doubt that would earn us many assets. I think it's best to continue Hayward as a 6th man, with Irving (and hopefully Rozier and Morris) gone there'll be enough shots and minutes available. After a couple of months we can reaccess what we do with Hayward.
Also after that horrible injury I think we should give Hayward some slack for last season.
Putting Brown on the market would be a bad decision i.m.o. Sure he needs to get paid soon, but I still think he has All Star potential and what big with All Star potential can we get for him?
John Collins, Siakam, Markkanen, Gordon, Bagley, Jackson Jr., Turner, Sabonis, Carter Jr., Allen, Ayton?
Maybe Gordon, Bagley, Turner, Sabonis or Carter of that group could be available?
Turner or Sabonis would make some sense for both teams. If you could combine their defensive and offensive qualities you'd have the perfect center. But you have to choose between an excellent defensive center, that has trouble rebounding, limited scoring option and a very efficient post up man that can finish, pass, rebound, while also being one of the worst defenders in the NBA.
I'd stick with Brown.