Trade Idea: Celtics - Pelicans

[slightly biased bias fan]

Celtics

Incoming: Williamson, Murphy III

Outgoing: Brown, Hauser, 2026 Celtics 1st round pick


Pelicans

Incoming: Brown, Hauser, 2026 Celtics 1st round pick

Outgoing: Williamson, Murphy III

- - -

Credit to jambr380 for suggesting this trade in a previous thread. I thought it was worthy of its own post, to gauge if YOU would do this deal.

Personally, I do not think this trade would ever happen, specifically from Celtics end. Trading Brown is one thing, but to trade him to one of the worst run franchises in the NBA, is rather insulting.

[Vermont Green]

This and similar trades have been beaten to death in other threads.  I definitely don't include a first from Boston.  It should be NOP sending a first to BOS.

Even in that case, due to the risk with Zion, I only do this trade if I am convinced that Brown wants a trade and feel I kind of have to trade him.  Otherwise no, probably not.

That said, and as I have said in other threads, this is a reasonable construction for a trade of Brown.  If Zion fulfills his ceiling, it would be a big win for BOS.  If Zion continues to flounder, it could go down as one of the worst trades in recent history for BOS.  That is the risk and why you don't do it unless you feel you have to trade Brown (which I do not think is the case).

[SparzWizard]

This and similar trades have been beaten to death in other threads.  I definitely don't include a first from Boston.  It should be NOP sending a first to BOS.

Even in that case, due to the risk with Zion, I only do this trade if I am convinced that Brown wants a trade and feel I kind of have to trade him.  Otherwise no, probably not.

That said, and as I have said in other threads, this is a reasonable construction for a trade of Brown.  If Zion fulfills his ceiling, it would be a big win for BOS.  If Zion continues to flounder, it could go down as one of the worst trades in recent history for BOS.  That is the risk and why you don't do it unless you feel you have to trade Brown (which I do not think is the case).

If Brown demands a trade he'd have the leverage and he determines where he wants to go tho

[jambr380]

Thanks for the shout out. Not sure I would include a 1st, but this trade does bring in a true high ceiling player along with Murphy, rather than being forced to move either Murray or Poole in a separate deal.

I know Zion hasn't lived up to potential and has had injury issue, but he played 62 games last year and seemed to finally take the right steps to getting his body in the right shape. Even though he is not a great 3 point shooter, he is still a real handful and he would go a long way in fulfilling Brad's goal of putting more pressure on the rim offensively.

[86MaxwellSmart]

Much better trades out there.....Zion is worth nothing.

[Goldstar88]

Much better trades out there.....Zion is worth nothing.

The guy is 25 years old and is a career 24pts/6rebs/4ast with 60% FG. Worth nothing lol.

[A Future of Stevens]

Much better trades out there.....Zion is worth nothing.

The guy is 25 years old and is a career 24pts/6rebs/4ast with 60% FG. Worth nothing lol.

But don't forget, he has both the injury AND personality red flags. Not to mention the yo-yo weight issues.

Honestly, it wouldn't SHOCK me if he figures some things out and is a borderline all NBA player for the next 5-7 years. But I think the more likely outcome is a career we all look back at as wasted from the potential he showed.

[Who]

I am surprised a healthy-ish Zion didn't net New Orleans a few more wins last year. Only 26-56 on the season.

With Zion = 22 wins 40 losses (29 win pace)
Without Zion = 4 wins 16 losses (16-17 win pace)

That is a healthy difference. What you would expect from an All-Star caliber player on a poor team.