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.

[aefgogreen]

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.

I don't think the Celtics would do this trade but I also don't think they factor in if JB would be happy where he is going.  DA talked about the power of not caring. I think Stevens also has this trait.

[Celtics2021]

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.

I don't think the Celtics would do this trade but I also don't think they factor in if JB would be happy where he is going.  DA talked about the power of not caring. I think Stevens also has this trait.

Absolutely true, regarding Brad.  He sent Jrue back to Portland less than two years after Portland quickly traded Jrue because he did not want to be there after the Lillard trade.  If the Pelicans, hypothetically, do not think Jaylen wants to go to New Orleans, then they should not trade for him.  It is not Brad?s job.

[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.

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.

I believe a lot of his injury issues in the past were due to weight/conditioning issues. He lost 50lbs. In regards to personality issues, I haven?t heard teammates or coaches having problems with him.

[Vermont Green]

This is the issue with Zion, you may be getting an all star or even all NBA player, or you may be getting the next Ben Simmons.  Either end of this extreme is very reasonably possible.  BOS management can assess this, with consideration as to whether his weight or attitude/maturity is likely to be better or worse going forward, but this uncertainty represents risk.

There is risk with Murphy also, but less.  Murphy could continue to improve and maybe be an all star, or he could be exposed as a stat compiler on a bad team.  His floor-ceiling range is not nearly as extreme as Zion's, but there is risk and uncertainty with him also.

Then you look at Brown, all star, 2nd team all NBA, NBA finals MVP, League MVP vote-getter, his floor-ceiling range is pretty certain.  Not much risk at all.  You pretty much know what you are getting with him.

[Celtics4ever]

Not a terrible trade by any means,but I hope it does not come to this losing Brown.  Zion can attack the rim.  But we have no center and lost our best defensive guard.   We would have three good forwards with Tatum,  Zion and Murphy.   Who is moving to SG?

I think we would have to ask for Missi as well to help our center rotation.  The trade still works.

They do not have a first this year.

[Goldstar88]

This is the issue with Zion, you may be getting an all star or even all NBA player, or you may be getting the next Ben Simmons.  Either end of this extreme is very reasonably possible.  BOS management can assess this, with consideration as to whether his weight or attitude/maturity is likely to be better or worse going forward, but this uncertainty represents risk.

There is risk with Murphy also, but less.  Murphy could continue to improve and maybe be an all star, or he could be exposed as a stat compiler on a bad team.  His floor-ceiling range is not nearly as extreme as Zion's, but there is risk and uncertainty with him also.

Then you look at Brown, all star, 2nd team all NBA, NBA finals MVP, League MVP vote-getter, his floor-ceiling range is pretty certain.  Not much risk at all.  You pretty much know what you are getting with him.

I don?t think that is a good comparison. Zion has been in the league for 6 seasons and is a career 24pts/6rebs/4ast player. He is not a good 3pt shooter, but his overall splits are solid at 60/32/70. Have not heard any coaches or players having problems with Zion. Not similar to Ben Simmons at all.

[Vermont Green]

This is the issue with Zion, you may be getting an all star or even all NBA player, or you may be getting the next Ben Simmons.  Either end of this extreme is very reasonably possible.  BOS management can assess this, with consideration as to whether his weight or attitude/maturity is likely to be better or worse going forward, but this uncertainty represents risk.

There is risk with Murphy also, but less.  Murphy could continue to improve and maybe be an all star, or he could be exposed as a stat compiler on a bad team.  His floor-ceiling range is not nearly as extreme as Zion's, but there is risk and uncertainty with him also.

Then you look at Brown, all star, 2nd team all NBA, NBA finals MVP, League MVP vote-getter, his floor-ceiling range is pretty certain.  Not much risk at all.  You pretty much know what you are getting with him.

I don?t think that is a good comparison. Zion has been in the league for 6 seasons and is a career 24pts/6rebs/4ast player. He is not a good 3pt shooter, but his overall splits are solid at 60/32/70. Have not heard any coaches or players having problems with Zion. Not similar to Ben Simmons at all.

I absolutely see the potential worst case for Zion to be Ben Simmons.  This appears less likely than a year or so ago, after he had a solid season, but it is still a very real possibility.  I am not saying that is the likely outcome, but that risk is real. 

And even for this most recent "good" season, he only played 62 games.  He has played 30 or less games in half his NBA seasons.  This guy could still totally crash and burn himself right out of the league.  He probably won't, but the likelihood is not 0%.  It is a possibility that has to be factored in to any potential trade consideration.