Hawks Roundtable Podcast hosts broke down a Jaylen Brown trade, calling the price too steep and naming the Rockets the favorite in any bidding war.
Hosts James Piercey and Zackery Rogers mentioned on the latest Hawks Roundtable Podcast that trading for Jaylen Brown would mean the Atlanta Hawks would have to offer more than his worth. They pointed out the Houston Rockets as the most likely team to secure him in any bidding war for the Boston star.
The hosts called it a three-team race among Atlanta, Portland Trail Blazers, and Houston, with Brown's contract as the main obstacle.
"Jaylen Brown is a tremendous player," Rogers said, before pointing to the cost as the sticking point. "Once you factor in the contracts you'd have to match and the assets you'd lose, I don't necessarily see the value."
Piercey mentioned that a sign-and-trade involving Jonathan Kuminga could be the first step, with Kuminga's approximately $25 million option covering less than half of Brown's salary. The remaining portion would probably involve Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Corey Kispert, or Zaccharie Risacher, along with the No. 8 pick and future first-round selections. Both hosts agreed that Jalen Johnson would not be part of the deal.
"My concern is that you're gutting your depth," Piercey said. "I'm not sure Brown is worth that."
Rogers said a deal this large would make Atlanta top-heavy.
"At some point you're left with Jalen Johnson and Jaylen Brown, but you've sacrificed so much depth that you're filling out the roster with minimum-contract players," he said.
Piercey questioned the suitability, pointing out that the Hawks still lack sufficient secondary ball-handling, which neither Johnson nor Daniels clearly offer.
"Is he even the right fit?" he said. "If you're making a move this large, I want to feel confident it gives you a real chance at winning a championship."
Both hosts favored Houston in any bidding war.
"Houston has enough depth and upside to survive a blockbuster deal," Rogers said.
The hosts wondered whether Brown would transfer, but Rogers predicts he will remain in Boston, pointing to Tatum's Achilles injury and Brown's strong performance in his absence.
Piercey linked continuity to league trends, noting that top teams typically keep their core players. Rogers stated that only Giannis Antetokounmpo warrants a jump to No. 8 in the draft, while both hosts preferred Myles Turner and Isaiah Joe as more budget-friendly choices.
Rogers noted that Joe's three-point shooting percentage exceeded 42%, and Piercey was prepared to trade an unprotected first-round pick for Turner.
Rogers forecasts that Brown will stay, and if Antetokounmpo is traded, he is likely to go to Miami.
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