Gant wrote:me: If Brad Stevens makes a trade, it'll be with an eye towards keeping the Celtics competitive for future titles. Depending on trading partners, it's possible a deal for Brown might appear which could accomplish this. Holiday, Porzingis, and Brown seem most likely. Tatum definitely no. White very little chance. There are no other options to get under the apron.
First, I think they’d try to keep both Jays, all NBA forwards with a chance to play their entire careers for the Celtics — a modern day Bird & McHale. However, Jaylen just makes so much it just may not be possible … but I think the first priority will be, if possible, keep Tatum and Brown.
KP is expiring $30 million. He’d probably be movable into capspace. Jrue has 3yrs left after this at a big number. He’d probably cost 1-3 first round picks to deal.
Derrick has four years left after this and would probably bring us a first, multiple seconds or even two firsts if we traded him.
If we trade Derrick for draft capital in 2028 or 2029 drafts and keep Jrue 2 more years well have a big Holiday expiring contract and extra draft picks to make a move in a couple of years…
We have already traded 2029 1st. If we have to attach a 2027 and 2031 1sts to move Jrue, we run the risk of becoming the Giannis bucks when Tatum is 29/30 and we have very few picks left to construct a team.
So Jrue considering age/decline may seem most likely to go, I’m not sure it will be him.