What moves can the Celtics make post-Jaylen Brown trade?

After trading away star Jaylen Brown for Paul George, two first round picks, and two second round picks many speculate whether or not the Celtics are done making big moves this offseason.

A path that the Celtics could explore is flipping Paul George and picks for a different star to pair with Jayson Tatum.

A star that the Celtics could target is Anthony Davis.

With the Wizards committing +$50 million in salary to Trae Young for the next 4 years there’s a real chance that the Wizards may want to see how Anthony Davis fits with their team on the court this upcoming NBA season and wait until next offseason before offering him a four year, $275 million max extension. If no max extension is offered this offseason, this could potentially upset Anthony Davis and cause friction between both parties or even an eventual trade request from Davis’ camp.

Celtics have had interest in Anthony Davis in the past, most notably when he requested a trade from New Orleans in 2019.

The only realistic way that the Celtics could trade for Anthony Davis this offseason is if they flipped Paul George and the picks they received from the Sixers in the Jaylen Brown trade.

Celtics might have to include all of the picks received for Jaylen Brown in an Anthony Davis trade, but they would almost certainly have to at least include Paul George, (to make the money work) and the valuable 2028 FRP. (Best of LAC/PHI) for the Wizards to even consider this trade.

The dilemma that the Celtics would face after making this trade is having to offer Anthony Davis a max extension that could range from $60-$70 million in salary for three to four years.

By offering Anthony Davis this max contract extension, the Celtics would also be essentially admitting that money wasn’t a factor in trading Jaylen Brown, but rather them not believing in him as the number 2 option for the Celtics to win a championship or something related off the court.

This would form likely form a starting lineup of Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, and Mitchell Robinson.

Another move that the Celtics could explore is trading for Pelicans star Trey Murphy.

Because the Celtics are hard capped at the first apron, in result of the Mitchell Robinson non-tax payer MLE signing. The Celtics would have to include Derrick White, along with multiple first round picks in any trade package for Trey Murphy.

This would form a likely starting lineup of Payton Pritchard, Paul George, Trey Murphy, Jayson Tatum, and Mitchell Robinson.