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By Ricardo Sandoval
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Boston Celtics are entering the 2025-26 season in a completely different state compared to where they stood last season.
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Entering the previous year, the Celtics were at the top of the basketball world. Fresh off their 2024 title, the Celtics were poised to become the first team to repeat as champions since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors.
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However, the New York Knicks and injuries came crashing in the second round of the playoffs and derailed their title hopes.
Now, as we enter the 2025-26 season, many consider this season a "gap" year for Boston. Jayson Tatum is likely to miss most of the season, and the Celtics are projected to be a middle-of-the-pack team.
The Celtics made massive moves this past offseason out of necessity. They lost out on a ton of their valuable players, and they were also rumored to move their All-Star guard, Jaylen Brown.
Brown has and will certainly be a cornerstone for the team this season. Many expect Brown to take a massive leap this season without Tatum for the Celtics, but Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report believes he will be better off with a new team.
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Swartz concocted this massive blockbuster trade idea, which sends Brown to his hometown team, the Atlanta Hawks.
Atlanta Hawks Receive
- F Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics Receive
- F Jalen Johnson
- G/F Zaccharie Risacher
- 2029 first-round pick (top-10 protected)
"The Boston Celtics have been on a cost-cutting mission since the offseason began, shaving over $300 million in total off the cost of the 2025-26 roster," Swartz writes.
"Trading away Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday got the franchise under the second apron. Another deal sendingGeorges Niang to the Utah Jazz saved the team $34 million and moved it closer to getting under the first apron altogether.
"Why stop now?
"The Celtics are only about $12 million away from ducking the luxury tax altogether. This trade would save Boston nearly $10 million this season, removing Jaylen Brown's remaining four years and $236 million off the books.
"Besides the financial advantages, the Celtics would be getting two talented young players in Jalen Johnson (23) and Zaccharie Risacher (20) who would help rebuild the core around Tatum."
The Celtics drafted Brown with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Boston owes Brown a ton of money in the coming years, and it's unclear how that contract will pan out. The 28-year-old has established himself as a star in the league and even led the Celtics to their most recent title. However, there are questions about whether he can lead Boston as the de facto number one option.
That remains to be seen.
Brown and the Celtics have a lot to prove this season. While a trade like that sure is enticing, the odds of it happening are quite low.
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