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3 Jaylen Brown replacements Celtics should target right away

By Ian Levy

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 05: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts to his bench beside O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on December 5, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 05: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts to his bench beside O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on December 5, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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Oct 30, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) talks with Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) after their game at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) talks with Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) after their game at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Jaylen Brown replacements for the Celtics: 2. Bradley Beal

This is another tough sell — it doesn’t really save the Celtics any money since Beal’s contract is just as hefty as Brown’s supermax extension would be, although that financial commitment would end two years early. In addition, Beal is smaller, older, a far inferior defender and, like Porter Jr., has a history of putting up big numbers on terrible teams.

But if the Celtics feel like they need to move on from Brown for culture or chemistry reasons they’re going to have a tough time replacing both halves of his two-way contributions. But Beal, at least on paper, gives them everything they were getting on offense from Brown … and perhaps a little more.

It’s hard to know how much to read into Beal’s numbers the past two seasons as the Wizards cratered, the roster dissolved around him and there were precious few reasons to buy in. But Beal is just two years removed from back-to-back seasons averaging over 30 points per game. His 3-point percentages have plummeted as he’s carried an increased on-ball offensive load but could easily rebound to above 40 percent with the gravity of Tatum and a lighter offensive load.

In addition, the Wizards could probably be coaxed into adding another young player like Deni Avdija or Johnny Davis. Again, this trade doesn’t perfectly fill the void Brown would leave but from an offensive perspective it might be the Celtics’ best win-now option.

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