Weighing the pros and cons of the New Orleans Pelicans trying to trade for Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown.
The New Orleans Pelicans entered the trade conversation surrounding Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, which has sent the fanbase into a frenzy.
Would Brown get the Pelicans out of the longstanding limbo that has New Orleans fans on edge and ready for anything to cheer for? Who knows? It would sure be interesting, though.
Whether or not it's something that they should actually do is another question. Here are some pros and cons to weigh when thinking about the Pelicans making this trade:
Pro: Jaylen Brown Is A Proven No. 1 Option
New Orleans has been searching for a true No. 1 star option for a while. Zion Williamson was supposed to be that, but his game is too dimensional on offense. Brandon Ingram could have been that guy, but he's gone. Trey Murphy isn't quite there yet, though he has shown potential.
Brown would give them someone who has proven that he can be the main piece on a winning basketball team. Jayson Tatum played in just 16 games last season, and the Celtics still finished 43-23 in games without him, helping them secure the No. 2 seed in the East. Brown put up 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per night.
Con: It Would Likely Mean Trading Trey Murphy
It's hard to imagine a world where Boston is ok with moving on from Brown without getting a talent like Murphy in return. He is someone that people around the league view as holding "star" potential, and was the team's best player last season. Whether or not he can be the best player on a playoff-caliber team is just not yet known.
With Brown, the Pelicans would be getting an older player, but a more proven entity. There's an argument to be made for both sides, in terms of what would be better for New Orleans to have. Are they better off trying to win now or holding the younger player so they have more time to build around him?
Pro: It Would Show This Front Office Is Serious About Winning
At least there is no world in which the team makes a move for someone of Brown's caliber and then doesn't go all-in on trying to compete for a ring. This trade would show that Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver mean business, and are willing to do whatever it takes to win.
Brown also still has three years and about $183 million left on his deal. That is a lot of money to shell out. It would show that the Pelicans organization is willing to open up the budget, if it means winning basketball games.
Con: Potential Draft Capital Disaster
Murphy wouldn't be the only thing that New Orleans has to send the Celtics in order to get Brown. It would also mean future draft capital, which will always set off alarms with the Pelicans after the near disaster with the Derik Queen trade last season. Is New Orleans still willing to part with unprotected draft picks? How many are they going to pull off? The Pelicans front office is certainly going to need to earn back the benefit of doubt when it comes to negotiating deals.
