There has been speculation that the Celtics may need to break up the duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, but Brown believes they can be successful together, writes Tim Bontemps of ESPN. After posting his first career triple-double in Saturday’s win over the Knicks, Brown addressed the sentiment that Boston should trade one of its stars.
“I think we can play together,” he said. “We have played together well for the majority of our career and things like that. The last year or so hasn’t gone as expected, but I think a lot of the adversity that we’re kind of going through now is going to help us grow and get better in the future.”
The Celtics have been successful when their top two scorers are on the court together, Bontemps notes, outscoring opponents by 4.6 points per 100 possessions. However, the team is in the midst of a second consecutive subpar season, tied for 10th in the East at 19-21.
“I know that people are tired of hearing that, but a lot of learning and growth is still taking place,” Brown said. “I’m getting better as a basketball player. Jayson’s getting better as a basketball player and trying to put our guys in position to make them look good. It’s tougher than it looks. So we just gotta continue to get better, make the right plays, trust ourselves, trust our teammates, trust our coaching staff, and let the chips fall where they may.”
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- First-year coach Ime Udoka questioned the Celtics‘ “mental toughness” after they squandered a 25-point lead in a loss to the Knicks on Thursday, Bontemps states in a separate story. It was the fourth time this season that Boston has lost after holding a lead of 19 points or more. “It’s a turnover here, a bad shot here, a missed defensive assignment here, and several missed rebounds tonight,” Udoka said. “So it’s a lot of different things. And then, like I said, a calming presence to slow it down and get us what we want is really what you need at that point. And sometimes we all get caught up in it.”
- The Kings may be willing to give up De’Aaron Fox or Tyrese Haliburton to get Ben Simmons, but the Sixers‘ interest in either player is limited, according to Kyle Neubeck of The Philly Voice. Tyrese Maxey has solved Philadelphia’s need for a point guard, so any deal involving Fox would have to be a three-team trade, Neubeck states, and the Sixers don’t view Haliburton as a strong enough return for Simmons.
- The Nets are searching for answers after dropping four of their last five games to fall out of first place in the East, per Brian Lewis of The New York Post. “There’s a few common threads,” coach Steve Nash said. “We’re not into the ball. We’re not combative enough to start games. We’re not clean enough with our communication at the level of the ball. There’s not enough of a presence. We can do better in transition as well getting organized. It’s fundamental stuff that’s taken a dip since we all got back together. We can see it clearly. We have to work at it now. We have to take it to heart and we have to rebuild.”
Sixers ain’t doing any better than Tyrese Halliburton. If that’s an offer, my goodness, do it yesterday (especially since the Kings don’t really have any completely bad salaries, so to make it work salary-wise they’ll have to include useful other players). There are probably 25 teams that want TH, too, so a three way should be super easy.
To trade Oladipo
Rockets want a good young player and at least 2 future Firsts from Knicks
To trade Simmons
76ers want an all star level player and at least 2 future Firsts
Lakers offer Westbrook and picks for Simmons
Why not？
Yesterday Lakers fans viewed Westbrook like MVP
What does Oladipo have to do with this? And what do Oladipo or Westbrook have to do with the Kings or Tyrese Halliburton?
Asking price comparison
76ers asking price for Simmons is very low according to comparison.
I like Halliburton – but I’m not sure I agree that he’s a no-brainer. He’s great for a 21 year old second year player, but three years ago we would probably have said the same (if not better) for Fox. Now he’s (rightfully) a 24 year old whipping boy.
Philly’s mandate makes sense despite its degree of difficulty – they need a top 25-30 player to pair with Embiid and ensure they’re contenders for the duration of Joel’s prime.
Halliburton, as he stands today, I don’t think checks that box. They might not get better in the summer, but it still might be worth the risk of waiting
Need a third team to flip the young guy to. This has always been a multiple team deal.
Have you watched him play. He’s not even playing PG. He’s used more to guard the other teams 2. Cause of his size and D. He made himself into an elite PG in college. He would thrive with a big like Embiid. If you are a true Philly fan. You should check him out. He can be an all star in Philly.
How about this,
76ers get Brown and Horford (51M salary)
Celtics get Simmons, Green, Korkmax, Maxey and 1 protected First.
Green and Maxey go to Blazers for Larry Nance Jr
“Let the chips fall where they may?”
That’s not quite how the Celtics should handle it right now. As he says, everyone is tired of hearing how the team is “developing and growing.” It’s time for success and not more growth. The time is now. Win go home. Win or Break It Up. Let the chips fall where they may, does not cut it anymore.
It’s time for all the fingerprinting to end…Coach, Players, Fans… it’s time to focus on what made the Celtics a storied franchise…PRIDE… that’s what needs focus!
Udoka is not a good coach also, playing a 8 guys rotation in a B2B game vs Knicks was a dumb idea.
The way is coaching is also part of those bad loses but he always refers to players mistakes.
It’s time for all the fingerprinting to end…Coach, Players, Fans… it’s time to focus on what made the Celtics a storied franchise…PRIDE… that’s what needs focus!
Well the Sixers would have one of the fastest backcourts in the league if they got Fox
The problem with the Celtics is that they have 27M tied up in Al Horford. They should be looking for a trade to upgrade their front court. They have the wing locked down. They need a stretch-4. They also have 7M wasted on Hernangomez.
They should be looking to use those contracts at the very least this season bc Al is only partially guaranteed next year. So 34M to play with this year which becomes 14.5M next year if the trade partner cuts both. So that’s 1 1st required right there.
Christian Wood, KP, Siakam, Barnes, MB3 as a reclamation project… Sabonis or Turner could work too….all on the block. They could get involved in 3 team deals that land 1 or more of them. It’s unlikely that the Celtics will draft their way into a 3rd All-Star level player so why waste prime years of Smart-Brown-Tatum?
I would disagree and say it’s the opposite end of the lineup that’s more glaring. This team desperately needs a playmaker—something that I think they banked on either Brown or Tatum developing into, to no avail.
Horford has actually been good this year. With the exception of his 3p% he’s having his best season since the last time he was in Boston. Playing him next to Williams might be a little ill-advised, but the rotation of RW and Al has been solid if not outstanding.
This team just hasn’t had an offense besides Brown and Tatum isolation plays since Gordon Hayward left. Schroeder and Richardson are ok players, but they’re iso and spot up on offense.
The key to win – jelly like a team
In term of wins, Draymond is far better player than Simmons and Westbrook.
When you have Simmons or Westbrook, the team does not look like a team – loose out
Westbrook makes the Lakers defense worse.
The only one thing that 76ers GMs need to figure out is that
With Simmons, 76ers were not able to beat Hawks in the 2nd round, 76ers won’t win the East next 3 years.
76ers are more like Celtics than Bulls and Heat.
East has Nets and Bucks too.
Do you just like the sound of your keyboard as you type this drivel?
I think the Sixers have several players that Doc has no intention of developing Bball Paul, Joe, Springer. And I think hed love to get rid of Shake and Furkan.
If the Kings could figure out what to do with that many contracts coming back…
Haliburton, Buddy, Barnes. That is the package that makes sense for the Sixers. It sets them up for a run this year and next year filling multiple holes.
Embiid – Drummond
Tobias – Barnes/Niang
Barnes – Green/Thybulle
Curry – Buddy/Thybulle
Hailburton – Maxey
I’m also up for dealing Thybulle this year if I can recoup a 1st, to me hes like Andre Roberson and I wouldn’t spend 9-10M a year on that, let someone else do that.
This a Celtic legend. Talking about a PG managing the game. Something I’ve tried to explain here for yrs. To no avail to the geniuses here. Maybe you will get it coming from Cousy.
“I hate to bring it back to a point guard but … you don’t have that control. When we got a lead of 6-8 points, that was when I would take it home. I just would not allow us to lose the lead.”
“They had one in Kyrie [Irving], but he was a head case. They potentially had one in Kemba [Walker], although Kemba was a shooting guard more than a point guard,” Cousy said. “You need a penetrating point guard at that point who is a threat and then he passes off to the [Jayson] Tatums and the [Jaylen] Browns.”
Knicks need that in worst way. Cause Randle leading them in ast. Just says we got no PG play. E Payton was bad. But at least he played D. Celtics imo have same problem. No game manager therefore have to rely. On scoring not playmaker.
Thank You Bob Cousy
100% unless you have LeBron James or some other superstar elite talent you need a point guard to control the game, set the tempo and give you direction.
Tatum has potential to be that elite talent but I still think at this stage in his career he needs a point that’ll control things and make his work easier.
DeAaron Fox maybe?
And close games. Like Bob Cousy says. He would get it done. When you are up 4-6 pts with 5-6 mins to go. A real PG can close that out 70% of the time.
According to news, 76ers asking price for Simmons is an all star level player and at least 2 future First Round Picks.
The only team 76ers don’t want to make trade is Knicks.
Why?
Knicks don’t want to meet the requirement of asking price.
Moreyon will take down the Sixers. Just like he took down the Rockets. His analytics Suxx. Haliburton on this team. Makes them a contender alone for years. They should be able to get Bagley and 2 picks. Then they can keep Maxey as backup. Since he is more a combo guard. Haliburton is a real PG who plays both ways. He can be top 3 in ast in league with Sixers. He doesn’t make mistakes. And will make life easier for Embiid. He will probably prolong his career. Bagley next to Embiid will flourish. And Harris is a better 3 than 4. I would start Embiid, Bagley, Harris, Haliburton, Green. This team is good and deep now……. For Years.
Moreyon is a fool ……
Kings pick next year will be a top 10 pick. This draft is filled with 4s. There will be a nice player there in bottom of lottery for them. Then they have a future pick. Haliburton is in the mold of CP3. He makes good decisions. And he is 6’ 5” a big 2way PG.
Kings FO (like a lot of others) has not shown any ability to put together a real basketball trade involving significant players. If they wanted Simmons (really), then they should have put Fox in play before the season started (and his trade value started to diminish). But that’s how they roll. Passive-aggressive until there’s an opportunity to sell low. Then engage.
They may still have a window, as Simmons’ value is at least as low, and there is nothing on the horizon that figures to increase it. But that’s not a reason to wait, it’s a reason to move.
I don’t disagree with any of this—yet I also wonder if Ben Simmons in Sacramento wouldn’t inevitably continue the inexorable debauchery that’s defined the Kings for the past two decades.
Prior to the season I thought a Fox for Simmons deal was ideal for Philly. Fox’s decline (more than Maxey’s play to date) probably makes that a dead trade at this point? (Side note: Beal, Dame, Fox, three of the marquee names in the Ben Simmons rumor mill this season, all having subpar seasons—is this a new curse?)
Halliburton’s a nice prospect, but he’s still a prospect. I don’t see Morey cashing in his chips for upside (although eventually he may no longer have a choice…)
I like the idea of a three team deal with the kings.
DeAaron Fox to the Celtics.
Jaylen Brown to Philly.
Ben Simmons to the Kings.
Looks like on paper the basis for a really good trade. If any of the teams want a little extra they can throw in extra players or picks.
For example wouldnt mind throwing Thybulle to the Celtics if they want more and are scared of a fall off in defence. In which case take Hernagomez comes back as salary filler and then probably waive him.
Or if the kings want a shooter to go with Ben then they can take Hernagomez from Boston or Korkmaz.
As I’ve said I think Brown should be our target I think he is perfect for right now and in the future with what we are trying to build.
For the kings I like the direction they would be moving. They should probably be looking to add three point shooting centre after Ben, Sabonis and Turner are both available. Christian Wood is also another.
Then you have the Celtics, Fox Smart Tatum G. Williams and Horford. That’s a solid starting 5, Schroder and Richardson coming off the bench. Should be in the playoffs
Hard for me to see the Celtics dealing Brown to the Sixers. I don’t see them wanting to actively help a rival. If anything, Brown would be dealt to the West. I think those things matter still.
When Danny did the deal with Bryan, he knew he was fleecing him and would still get the player he wanted. When they make trades they typically come out as the winner of said trade. Brad has been cleaning up their past mistakes with his trades. So we’ll see how he fares, but I would guess the Sixers won’t be involved.
FWIW, if I’m Boston and I’m trading Brown to Philly, I’d probably prefer to just keep Ben, as opposed to bringing in Fox?
If I’m going to try and rehabilitate a mid-20s PG going through a rough patch, I’ll take Simmons’ upside over Fox’s, but that’s just me.
I do think *if* Boston were to look to move Brown this offseason (highly doubt they do it sooner), then Ben Simmons is might be the most talented guy they could get in return? Also the most volatile in terms of value, but if you’re trying to contend then there’s going to be a degree of risk tolerance involved.
I would tend to agree but I think the best talent at the lowest price across the league is Ben Simmons. He’s a played his way into having a really low value but still being a really good player.
I wouldn’t mind if the Sixers gave up the extra to get brown aswell. Like Mattise Thybulle and a first, which would then be hard to turn down for the Celtics.
So the Celtics give up the best player in the trade and get back a PG who is not a good shooter so they can play an aged C who cannot shoot at the 5?
More like the Sixers would have to give up Maxey and Thybulle as well to the Celtics to even get them to listen.
I love Philly fan giving up Ben Simmons and getting a better player in return. Then throwing in Korkmaz as if he has any value at all…
Please stop. Ben Simmons is not worth Buddy Hield at this point. He has not played in almost a year.
Technically I’d say Ben is the best player in the trade considering he’s a three time all star, two time all defensive first teamer and all nba third team. But he’s really hurt his value to the point he’s on par with these two.
I would offer Simmons for Brown without involving the kings at all but I think the Celtics would prefer Fox. However if they’d rather Ben then they can take him that’s fine, bye bye kings.
I also said from the Sixers perspective I’d be willing to throw in extra like a Thybulle or Korkmaz or first round pick and take back unfavourable deals like a Hernagomez.
Love how deluded some basketball minds are. So short minded in the fact Ben hasn’t been playing and he had a bad playoff series but doesn’t take into account how great he is.
We lost a 7 game series in the conference semis against the hawks. Losing 2 games by 1 possession, the other by 4 points and the other by 7. Overall very close series.
Ben still holds career averages of 16-8-8 he’s only 25, he’s arguably the leagues best defender. The only other players in the league averaging more points-rebounds-assists are Harden, Russ and Murray.
But yeah sure, hEs nOt EveN wOrtH buDdy hEiLd
You just answered the PG closer and manager question. That Ben really isn’t. A real PG would of won those games. Plus a real PG is a good FT shooter. Believe in Haliburton bro.
If you think Simmons is better than Brown – you are delusional.
Ben is better than JB make no mistake about it, that is a fact!
I don’t stop.
According to current market value, Simmons is worth Hield + Bagley +protected future First.
He’s definitely worth far more.
Sixers turned down Brogdan and LeVert at the start of the season for him.
My guess is we actually get a good player or two. Not Heild Bagley and a protected first
I’ve read that Brogdon/Lavert offer both ways,that the 6ers turned it down and also that it was what their asking price was.
But even if it was 1 they turned down,that don’t necessarily mean Simmons value is any higher or lower than that offer,that would just tell ya the 6ers value him more.And ya can’t really say the 6ers know his value league wide,considering teams aren’t caving to their demands.
When the reports were that the Kings wouldn’t include Fox or Haliburton,or the Wolves wouldn’t give up Russell,Edwards,or Kat,I agreed with the 6ers not budging.But with reports coming out now saying otherwise,I really question whether or not Morey knows what he’s doing.I mean he did make a nice trade once for a 23yr old Harden,but he also wasn’t ever able to surround him with the right pieces to get Houston to the finals.I won’t be satisfied saying we put together a good team,but we ended up having to face the Warriors.I wanna be the Warriors,the team that teams couldn’t knock off to get to the top.
I love that people, well err Philly fan, still believes they are getting a return like Jaylen Brown or Aaron Fox or Bradley Beal for a guy who they claim cannot shoot, has no heart and is mentally unstable…BUT HE IS AN ALL STAR!!!
Coach Udoka is just describing the definition of a coach. Does he not realize he should be fixing these problems
???
He wants a PG to do his job …
It’s already established that the Sixers won’t take Fox. Halliburton, Barnes and pick(s) might do it. If Bagely is included he’s traded immediately. No to Hield.
#FreeBenSimmons
Celtics don’t need to trade Brown and Tatum. They need a better roster. All those other guys they drafted were trash. Langford, Nehsmith, Grant Williams, Pritchard. Also why did they extend Marcus Smart? He’s not that good. Why is the coach starting Horford with Robert Williams? Nothing makes sense with this team. Learn how to build a roster.