Obviously yes. Nobody in their right mind would trade Brown for Butler, particularly with other, better trades on the table.
I'm getting a chuckle watching people talk themselves into this dumpster fire. Again, JB is 29 years old, durable, and is coming off another All-NBA season. He's not damaged goods, he didn't demand a trade, he's not a drug user with mental health issues. And we got less for him than anybody thought imaginable two weeks ago. The entire league is laughing at us, because even ESPN analysts know a heist when they see it.
Everything is true about JB. But other things are true as well:
1. The Celtics were not going to extend him
2. Given that fact, ?standing pat? did not guarantee the return for Brown would stay the same.
3. Celtics brass did not think JT + JB + current supporting cast was capable of competing for a title
So while the Celtics did not get Giannis or an insane draft pick haul, they moved on from a situation that was becoming untenable. And it was untenable because Brown is not worth $70 million. He is not capable of carrying a team. He is also the embodiment of the Dunning Kruger Effect and was only going to become more outspoken and challenging.
With Tatum back he was not going to perform in a way that suggested higher value than last season.
George is super dislikable, there is no denying that. But they needed to move on because spinning their wheels for another season or two wasn?t going to get a title. It was going to delay the inevitable.
George is the tallest leprechaun. This was going to stink no matter what. It is a shame we did not get a young up and coming prospect or an MVP. But it feels like Brown was regarded more as a Tier 3 guy and Celtics fans are having a hard time accepting it.