Following yet another year of being on the trade block in the offseason, it seems as if Jaylen Brown has had enough of it. He has spoken out about potentially leaving the Boston Celtics and that has made the Washington Wizards an intriguing potential destination.
"“We’ll see how they feel about me over time and I feel about them over time. Hopefully, whatever it is, it makes sense. But I will stay where I’m wanted. I will stay where I’m needed and treated correct.”- Jaylen Brown"
Many will remember that Brown was nearly a Brooklyn Net at the start of this season. When Kevin Durant first requested a trade over the summer, one of his preferred destinations was to be traded to the Boston Celtics. Durant is now playing with Phoenix Suns. Brown is helping to lead the Celtics to the second-best record in the league alongside Jayson Tatum.
To add fuel to the flames, in their most recent matchup, the Wizards blew the Celtics out of the water in a game that didn’t even see Kyle Kuzma or Bradley Beal touch the floor. A true embarrassment for a team looking to compete for a championship.
But how would Jaylen Brown fit within a team like the Washington Wizards?
One thing the Wizards are missing is another wing who can be dynamic on both offense and defense. Brown can provide this and more. He’s currently averaging a career-high in scoring (26.7) and rebounds (6.9). Jaylen Brown was arguably the best player for Celtics in the last NBA Finals and has shown to have big moments throughout his young career.
He has commented on the trade rumors around him and has made it known that he is open to being where he is wanted and needed. The Wizards organization should show JB that is wanted and needed.
Now, the question is: will the Wizards trade for him to take a gamble and try to resign him when his contract is up? Will they just let the 2023-’24 season play out and throw a contract at him? Let’s explore the possible options:
The Wizards can offer Kristaps Porzingis for Jaylen Brown. Wizards would be losing size and shooting in their frontcourt; however, Brown is a good shooter so he can make up for that and would also give Daniel Gafford more opportunities for minutes. Gafford is a better defender than Porzingis, so a lineup featuring Brown and Gafford would surely help on that end.
With the way the NBA is going, Kuzma could play the four while Brown plays the three. This would be an ideal modern day NBA lineup. But this can only happen if the Celtics are not interested in a package surrounding Wizard’s forward. Boston could want to add a few more wings to their roster, asking for Kuzma and Corey Kispert for Jaylen Brown. However, this can only happen if Kuzma decides to resign with Washington.
The Wizards do not have many trade assets so it could be a long shot trading for Brown. If they do attempt a move for the star forward during the season, they also run is a risk he could leave in free agency. They would need to give Brown a good reason to stay.
This is why waiting to see what happens in the 2024 free agency may be the best idea. They will be able to pitch the idea to Brown and possibly not lose any long-term trade assets. The idea of playing with an All-NBA talent like Bradley Beal is attractive but Brown already has a teammate like that with Jayson Tatum. Money will have to talk for Brown amongst other things as well as the possibility of being a winner in a franchise that is in need of another star. If the Nation’s Capital can embrace Jaylen Brown, the possibilities are endless.