Boston Celtics: Trading Brown or Tatum would be as bad as OKC trading Harden in 2012

The Boston Celtics have some tough decisions to make this summer, but trading Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum would be a huge mistake

The Pelicans’ remarkable sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers may have finally put Anthony Davis trade rumors to rest - for now – but other superstars may still be available this summer, and the two franchises with the best young assets are the Lakers and the Celtics.

Traditional logic says that the team that gets the best player in a trade wins, but that is only if said player compliments his new roster. It’s hard to envision any superstar complimenting the Celtics’ roster the way Brown and Tatum do, which is why they should both be considered untouchable, even if Kawhi Leonard becomes available.

It is rare for consecutive number 3 picks to become key contributors on a contending team, but Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are exactly that, and – with Al Horford and a healthy Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward – look to form the best starting lineup in the NBA next season.

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Brown’s handle, free throw shooting and passing instincts still leave much to be desired, but the rest of his game is pure. He is a credible 3 and D player cut from the same cloth as Danny Green, Courtney Lee or OKC-era Thabo Sefolosha, but in his sophomore year, has already surpassed their respective career highs.

He is also a freak athlete, team leader, and, at 21, has much room for growth.

Tatum just averaged over 23 points per game while playing good defense in five games against the 76ers, and looks to be a top 10 player in the league for many years.

Davis or Leonard could obviously make the Celtics better at both ends of the floor, but the combination of Brown and Tatum better compliments their roster needs. If they could get Davis for Hayward or Horford (who has proved in every single playoff game that he is truly worthy of max money) and draft picks, that would be worth considering, but losing either of Brown or Tatum could shorten the Celtics’ seemingly limitless championship window.

Despite being arguably the most exciting player of the playoffs, Terry Rozier may not be a part of the Celtics’ long-term plan. He simply needs the ball too much, and is a poor man’s Kyrie. Danny Ainge would be wise to flip him for future first round picks–as if the Celtics needed more of those!!

Brown has proven he doesn’t really need to handle the ball to be an effective scorer, and while Tatum probably should have the ball in his hands more, he is also a great spot up shooter.

The Celtics will face cap issues in the coming years, and holding on to two outstanding wings already performing like max players – but only earning a combined $26M over the next two complete seasons – gives them unmatched flexibility to resign key role players like Marcus Smart and Aaron Baynes during their championship window.

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Simply put, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum could each appear in more future All-Star games than any established superstar on the trade block. Excluding the oft-injured Joel Embiid, both Brown and Tatum appear to be the best number 3 picks since James Harden in 2009. Danny Ainge would be wise to learn from Thunder GM Sam Presti’s gravest mistake and keep the J Team in tact, by any means necessary.