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James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets warms up earlier than the sport towards the Portland Path Blazers.
The James Harden-Boston Celtics chatter has definitely died down of late. Possibly that’s because of the earlier rumors being brushed apart as nothing greater than typical offseason hypothesis. Or perhaps it’s as a result of Jaylen Brown’s ascension into full-blown NBA star truly makes the deal lifelike.
Extensively perceived as one of many league’s higher two-way wings in basketball getting into the season, Brown has flaunted fast progress on the offensive finish early in 2020-21. Abruptly, the 24-year-old has the look of a franchise cornerstone reasonably than a middle-to-high finish second-fiddle.
That is precisely what Houston would theoretically be on the lookout for had been they prepared to maneuver off of Harden. But, as ESPN’s Tim Bontemps particulars, Brown’s dominant play has change into a “massive complication” in swinging a deal.
“Brown is simply 24 years previous, although, a two-way participant and properly on his technique to being an All-Star for the primary time,” Bontemps writes. “He has steadily grown his sport over four-plus seasons in Boston and has taken on a bigger offensive position in a giant method this season. The pairing of Brown and Tatum can rival any wing duo – and maybe any under-25 tandem in the complete league. And whereas the Celtics will not be but as much as the identical caliber of convention finals rosters they’ve loved in recent times, their largest weak spot at this level — depth — is one thing that may very well be addressed with out making such an earthshaking commerce.”
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Hypothetical Harden-Brown Commerce
Whereas Bontemps questions the advantages of buying and selling a rising star corresponding to Brown (a sentiment doubtless shared with nearly all of Celtics followers), that didn’t cease the insider from drawing up a possible deal. Spoiler alert, it’s a blockbuster.
Right here’s the potential deal:
- Rockets Obtain
- Jaylen Brown, G/F
- Kemba Walker, G
- Aaron Nesmith G/F
- Celtics’ 2021 & 2023 unprotected first-round picks
- Celtics Obtain
- James Harden, G
- Eric Gordon, G
- P.J. Tucker, F
“Boston might put collectively a bundle main with Brown, who’s off to the very best begin of his profession,” Bontemps claims. “He suits the profile of a younger building-block-type star that the Rockets have required in any Harden commerce. Increasing the return past Harden to incorporate Tucker and Gordon would give the Celtics the depth they’ve been missing within the early a part of the season.”
Is Brown Too Helpful to Commerce?
In all honesty, the Harden commerce hypothesis isn’t more likely to disappear anytime quickly. Whereas the previous MVP hasn’t come out publically to demand a commerce, a 3-4 begin for a Rockets group with title aspirations definitely isn’t going to assist. For this reason Bontemps’ hypothesis wasn’t restricted to only Boston, however reasonably five potential suitors in total.
The Celtics are one in every of a handful of golf equipment to reportedly interact in a “courtesy call” with Houston with reference to a possible Harden commerce. Had been Boston to swing for the fences, it could be tough to hate on a deal that might yield the NBA’s reigning three-time scoring champ. But, that’s to not say it wouldn’t sting.
Brown, who’s emerged as a bonafide chief and a fan favourite in Boston, is averaging 26.3 ppg this season, a mere 0.7 ppg behind Harden’s 27.0 ppg. His scoring prowess can also be ok to position him inside the top-10 of scorers in basketball this season. Moreover, of these top-10 scorers league-wide, Brown’s been essentially the most environment friendly, proudly owning a 53.9% area aim share.
In Harden’s case, he stays his sensible self. To associate with his aforementioned 27.0 ppg, which ranks sixth within the NBA, he additionally paces the league in assists with 11.3 per sport.
The approaching return of Kemba Walker to the hardwood will doubtless give Boston extra readability on whether or not they’d be prepared to throw a wrinkle of their lineup shifting ahead. But, the considered shifting off a constantly bettering 24-year-old and two-way stud might show to do extra hurt than good within the lengthy haul.
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