A Blockbuster NBA Trade Idea to Rescue an Eastern Conference Team from Mediocrity
The NBA's Eastern Conference looks like a two-team race between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks. Injuries have derailed title hopes for the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers while franchises like the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons still look like they're an All-Star away from winning the conference.
Now is the time for a team like the Magic, Hawks or Pistons to be ultra-aggressive, taking advantage of a weakened conference while stars like Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton are recovering.
The following trade idea would build a roster capable of going head-to-head with the Cavs and Knicks and involves two teams that have already linked up in one previous deal this offseason.
Full Trade Scenario
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Atlanta Hawks Receive
- F Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics Receive
- F Jalen Johnson
- G/F Zaccharie Risacher
- 2029 first-round pick (top-10 protected)
The Hawks already picked up Kristaps Porziņģis from the Celtics' yard sale this summer, as Boston's new ownership has prioritized shedding salary and getting under the second apron.
Both franchises clearly have different priorities for the 2025-26 season. The Hawks have improved their roster mightily around Trae Young, while the Celtics seem fine with waiting until 2026-27 to contend again with a more tax-friendly roster as Jayson Tatum recovers from a torn Achilles.
Here's why the trade makes sense for both teams.
Why the Atlanta Hawks Do It
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A 40-42 record wasn't much to get excited about for the Atlanta Hawks last season, although there were some real bright spots that should inspire confidence for 2025-26.
Dyson Daniels had a breakout season, leading the NBA with 3.0 steals per game and finishing second in Defensive Players of the Year voting. He also averaged a career-high 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game and looked like the defensive complement that Trae Young has long needed.
Mix in an offseason when the Hawks traded pennies on the dollar for Porziņģis, acquired Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Minnesota Timberwolves and signed Luke Kennard for some additional shooting, and this has been an inspiring few months for Hawks fans.
Atlanta shouldn't be satisfied, however.
Jaylen Brown would be the ideal fit as the starting small forward, a four-time All-Star and NBA Finals MVP who's in the prime of his career at age 28. He's one of the league's premier two-way wings who's averaged 24.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game over the last five seasons, even as a No. 2 option.
Brown and Porziņģis already have two years of experience together, with the Boston Celtics registering a net rating of plus-17.2 (99th percentile via Cleaning the Glass) with both on the floor last season even without Jayson Tatum.
A starting five of Trae Young, Daniels, Brown, Porziņģis and Onyeka Okongwu with Alexander-Walker, Kennard, Asa Newell and others off the bench would immediately put Atlanta near the top of the East.
Why the Boston Celtics Do It
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The Boston Celtics have been on a cost-cutting mission since the offseason began, shaving over $300 million in total off the cost of the 2025-26 roster.
Trading away Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday got the franchise under the second apron. Another deal sending Georges Niang to the Utah Jazz saved the team $34 million and moved it closer to getting under the first apron altogether.
Why stop now?
The Celtics are only about $12 million away from ducking the luxury tax altogether. This trade would save Boston nearly $10 million this season, removing Jaylen Brown's remaining four years and $236 million off the books.
Besides the financial advantages, the Celtics would be getting two talented young players in Jalen Johnson (23) and Zaccharie Risacher (20) who would help rebuild the core around Tatum.
Johnson averaged a career-high 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks last season and would be an immediate starter at power forward for Boston this season. He's also on what looks like a team-friendly five-year, $150 million extension that sits at a flat $30 million a season.
Risacher was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft and made real strides as the year progressed. He could be a good NBA starter for the next decade and a half and still has three years remaining on his rookie contract.
Boston would still have a core of Derrick White, Anfernee Simons, Payton Pritchard, Johnson, Risacher, Sam Hauser and others to stay competitive with this year and would get Tatum back healthy the following season.
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