Trade Idea: Celtics - Pelicans

[Vermont Green]

I think Brown has proven to me enough that he can't lead a team when it really matters and he has tunnel vision dribbling the ball. Cons outweigh the pros, definitely not worth his $300M max. He's also had a knee surgery and overreliant on his athleticism. Unload his contract and bring in some new faces.

I guess you are saying yes to some version of a trade to NOP?  Sounds like you think Brown has reached his ceiling and you are not all that impressed with the ceiling, at least not at the money.  That is a fair take.  I do not think that Brown's current contract is a bad one, but his next one might be.  It could be the time to sell high on Brown.

Brown had a really good season and the league noticed.  I don't see it as unreasonable to rate Brown as a top 10 player in the league, based on last season.  He may not sustain that level of play, but he is a good player in my view and I believe in the view of the league (other teams that might trade for him).  There is some risk in paying Brown again, I concede that.  But trading him is a risk also.

This is where I'm at. I'm not actively trying to get rid of Brown at any cost, but I am also intrigued by what we could get for him. Now absolutely is the time to sell high. What does selling high look like right now, though? Can we get enough back to make it worth it.

In talking about a trade with NOP, I think we need to leave out the possibility of Zion even being in the deal. It was a fun idea, but I'd imagine NOP wants to add Brown to Zion. Murphy is absolutely a very good young player on a fantastic contract, but what is the plan with Murray and what picks would we be acquiring.

I know it doesn't seem like the most exciting deal - Murphy, Murray, and picks - but done right (Murray to another team for a big and the picks landing), it could propel us to another level.

Murray + Murphy for Brown, that version does work.  Murphy fits the TPE allowing BOS to kind of roll that over, but the trade work even without it.

I don't know where NOP stands on Zion.  To even be in the discussion for a trade to get Brown, some combination of (2) of Zion, Murphy, Murray would have to come back, plus picks.  Having Zion and Brown going forward would be the most potential upside I guess.  And even if Zion crashes and burns, NOP could still flip Brown later and get plenty back.

As to Boston, if they got back Murphy and Murray, that isn't so bad.  I am assuming that Murray is healthy, passes a physical, but with that assumption, BOS would have:

Murray
White
Murphy
Tatum
Queta

Just in terms of the starting line up, you go from Brown + Hauser to Murphy + Murray.  That isn't necessarily a step back, there is risk, as I have said, but it could be good too.  The risk is (1) Murphy gets exposed as a stat compiler on a bad team and isn't the same on a good team, and (2) Dejounte Murray at 30 will not be the same as he once was.

Then BOS would have draft picks and a TPE to try and go find a trade for a better center.

[Celtics2021]

I think Brown has proven to me enough that he can't lead a team when it really matters and he has tunnel vision dribbling the ball. Cons outweigh the pros, definitely not worth his $300M max. He's also had a knee surgery and overreliant on his athleticism. Unload his contract and bring in some new faces.

I guess you are saying yes to some version of a trade to NOP?  Sounds like you think Brown has reached his ceiling and you are not all that impressed with the ceiling, at least not at the money.  That is a fair take.  I do not think that Brown's current contract is a bad one, but his next one might be.  It could be the time to sell high on Brown.

Brown had a really good season and the league noticed.  I don't see it as unreasonable to rate Brown as a top 10 player in the league, based on last season.  He may not sustain that level of play, but he is a good player in my view and I believe in the view of the league (other teams that might trade for him).  There is some risk in paying Brown again, I concede that.  But trading him is a risk also.

This is where I'm at. I'm not actively trying to get rid of Brown at any cost, but I am also intrigued by what we could get for him. Now absolutely is the time to sell high. What does selling high look like right now, though? Can we get enough back to make it worth it.

In talking about a trade with NOP, I think we need to leave out the possibility of Zion even being in the deal. It was a fun idea, but I'd imagine NOP wants to add Brown to Zion. Murphy is absolutely a very good young player on a fantastic contract, but what is the plan with Murray and what picks would we be acquiring.

I know it doesn't seem like the most exciting deal - Murphy, Murray, and picks - but done right (Murray to another team for a big and the picks landing), it could propel us to another level.

As I said in one of these threads, with Murphy-Murray, it depends on what the draft compensation would be.  The draft lottery odds have flattened for the next three seasons, and New Orleans with or without Jaylen looks like a potential lottery team to me.  Would the Celtics get multiple bites at that apple?  I could be convinced.  Just the 2027 pick in a draft that talent evaluators are not excited about?  Lateral move at best, and that requires Murray to return to his form from 3 seasons ago, which is far from a given.  Further, if Murray does return to form, it could easily be a one-year rental as he has a player option.

I do not think I would do the deal for any less than unprotected picks in 27 and 29, and an unprotected swap in 2028.  That would allow the Celtics to either develop cost-controlled higher end talent or have some assets to trade in a TPE or attach to Murray to bring back another high-tier starter.  Even then I do not love it, because while I am a fan of Murphy, I do not see someone scratching at the surface of stardom, and I am not sure from where a second star next to Tatum would appear, unless we hit the lottery with one of those picks.  The team would be similarly competitive as last year, which means its playoff success will be determined a lot by matchup luck, which this year we lost out on.

[jambr380]

VG and C2021 - I agree with a lot of what both of you have presented. The draft compensation is the biggest piece for me. And while I do understand some appeal in getting Murray, I would be much more interested in shopping him around for a big and then using the MLE to bring in a guard. Taking in Murphy to our TPE would create a brand new one that we could possibly use at the beginning of next offseason when we are ready to go into the tax again. His play on the floor and his contract create a lot of options for us.

But if we're talking good - but not great - players and draft compensation, then we need to extend our search beyond NOP. I have seen a lot of rumbling of Portland being interested in Jaylen. We have already discussed ideas revolving around Houston. And would any of the teams drafting in the top 4 in this draft consider Jaylen the piece to propel him to the top?

There are so many possibilities. And I guess I am just getting caught up in what Brad might think is the best option and if he will pull the trigger. It's exciting to think about even if there are uncertainties moving forward.