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Jaylen Brown has all the spotlight on him!
The Atlanta Hawks are searching for a way to turn their talented roster into a true championship contender. Led by Trae Young, the team has exciting offensive firepower but has struggled to make a deep run in the playoffs since reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.
One of the biggest challenges for the Hawks has been their defence. Even though they have some strong defenders like Dyson Daniels, who is known as one of the best young defenders in the league, the team’s overall defensive performance has been inconsistent. Last season, the Hawks had a defensive rating of 114.8, which placed them only 18th out of 30 teams, meaning many other teams were better at stopping their opponents from scoring.
Because defence is such an important part of winning in the NBA, the Hawks know they need to improve on that end if they want to stay competitive. The front office is faced with a big decision: How do they build around Trae Young, who is a fantastic scorer and playmaker but not a strong defender? The answer might be to bring in another star player who excels on both offence and defence.
The Hawks’ roster includes promising young wings like Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Zaccharie Risacher. These players show potential but have not yet proven they can lead a team to the NBA Finals. Atlanta needs a proven star to boost the team’s ceiling and help create a balanced, championship-ready squad.
On the other side of the equation, the Boston Celtics are dealing with their own challenges. While they have a strong group of players, they are facing serious financial limits because of big contracts and luxury tax rules. One of their most important players, Jaylen Brown, is the 2024 NBA Finals MVP and a key part of their success. However, his large salary could cause Boston to think about trading him to free up money and maintain flexibility for the future.
That’s where the idea of a blockbuster trade between the Celtics and Hawks comes into play.
Sports analyst Greg Swartz from Bleacher Report recently suggested that the Hawks should pursue Jaylen Brown if the Celtics decide to listen to trade offers. Brown’s skill set fits perfectly with what Atlanta needs. He is a strong two-way player, meaning he can score and defend at a high level, which would help fix the Hawks’ defensive problems. Pairing Brown with Trae Young and young wing Jalen Johnson would create a powerful “Big Three” that could compete with the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
Brown’s personal connection to the Atlanta area makes the idea even more interesting. He grew up in Marietta, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. This hometown link might make Brown more willing to join the Hawks and could also excite local fans who want to see a Georgia native lead their team.
Of course, the Hawks would have to work through salary cap rules to make such a trade happen, which is never easy. But if they manage to get Brown on the roster, the team could become a real threat in the East, with a better balance of offence and defence.
Despite all this speculation, it’s important to remember that the Celtics are unlikely to trade Jaylen Brown anytime soon. They are currently dealing with the loss of another superstar, Jayson Tatum, who is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season due to a serious Achilles injury. Keeping Brown is likely their best chance to remain competitive while Tatum recovers.
For now, Hawks fans can dream about the possibility of adding a homegrown superstar to their team. If the stars align, Atlanta’s young core and Trae Young could get the boost they need to become true title contenders in the near future.