There's genuine curiosity surrounding why the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors didn't re-engage further on a Jaylen Brown trade after the initial asking price of four first-round picks, especially when the 2024 Finals MVP was ultimately moved to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and two first-round picks.
One theory is that despite entering discussions with the Warriors over a Brown deal, the Celtics really had no intention of trading the star forward to the Bay because they want Golden State to fall, and for Stephen Curry to subsequently see Boston as a potential trade destination.
Celtics may have had hidden Curry motivation in Brown talks
Talks over a Brown trade ultimately didn't go far because the Warriors weren't willing to meet the Celtics' steep asking price. Perhaps that was only put out there as a token offer and Boston weren't really serious because of their desire to acquire Curry further down the track.
It's an idea that was proposed by Third Apron's Yossi Gozlan on a recent podcast episode, with the suggestion that the Celtics were playing the long game as speculation rises over Curry's future in the wake of an underwhelming offseason for the Warriors.
"Maybe there's a little bit of 5D chess where ultimately not trading him (Brown) to the Warriors could play out for the Celtics favor where if the Warriors just cannot do anything else, Curry then decides I'm interested in Boston," Gozlan said.
This would make some sense if Boston's ultimate plan is to trade for Curry. Acquiring Brown would have silenced any speculation on the two-time MVP's future, and could have also led to landing LeBron James in free agency just as the 76ers ultimately did.
Celtics' Jaylen Brown trade still doesn't make sense
As much as this theory has some validity, it doesn't explain why the Celtics turned around and traded Brown for a disappointing package from a 76ers team who are a direct divisional rival. Surely some patience would have led to a better offer from somewhere else?
It's also hard to imagine that Brad Stevens and Boston would have been willing to trade Brown for a worse package, just on the very unlikely chance that Curry asks out of Golden State in the next 12 months. That's a risky move that comes with a 99% chance of never paying the dividends this theory suggests.
If the Celtics did have a hidden Curry motive behind their Brown trade talks, that'll just make the final outcome look even worse if the 38-year-old signs a two-year extension with the Warriors at the end of the month.
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