The Portland Trail Blazers acquired Ja Morant on Monday in a surprising move, amid their rumored interest in Jaylen Brown. It seemed the gamble on Morant, whose value is at an all-time low, as suggested by the package of Jerami Grant, Kris Murray and no picks, was Portland’s big move.
Even ESPN’s Shams Charania, who broke the news on Morant’s move to Portland, reported that the franchise had pivoted from the Brown sweepstakes. However, Yahoo Sports insider Kevin O’Connor predicted this could be a precursor to a move amid the Blazers’ interest in Brown.
“This feels like a setup trade for Portland,” he said on The Kevin O’Connor Show after the Morant trade news. “You send out Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to wings/forward to Memphis … when you already have Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, a bunch of guards on this roster. Why would that be?
“Well, I think it’s because Portland, as has been widely reported, is the frontrunner for Jaylen Brown. That’s your wing, that’s your Jerami Grant replacement. So, what do you do to get there? Well, it’s (trading) guards. It’s Jrue Holiday plus Shaedon Sharpe plus Scoot Henderson, that’s a salary match for Jaylen Brown to go to Portland.”
The Blazers’ depth chart does indeed seem imbalanced with four players who can be starting-caliber point guards, including Morant, Lillard, Holiday and Henderson. Even if it’s not for Brown, Portland will likely make more moves to bolster its frontcourt rotation and trim its backcourt depth.
However, O’Connor made a compelling argument that Holiday, Henderson, and Sharpe’s salaries match Brown’s, so it would be interesting to see if such a trade materializes.
If Trail Blazers are still pursuing Jaylen Brown, they will face stiff competition from conference rivals
The Portland Trail Blazers might have to act fast on a potential Jaylen Brown trade if they are interested. According to NBA on Prime insider Chris Haynes, Portland’s conference rivals, the Denver Nuggets, are engaged in talks with the Boston Celtics on a trade for the former Finals MVP.
After a shocking first-round exit in the 2026 NBA playoffs, the Nuggets might be more desperate than any other potential Brown suitor to get a deal done. Denver has reportedly put everyone on the table except Nikola Jokic.
The Nuggets can entice the Celtics with a package headlined by Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, two players Boston would benefit from around Jayson Tatum. Cam Johnson could be another player involved.
Read more:
- Nuggets Reporter Dubs Jaylen Brown ‘Lifeboat’ Denver Desperately Needs, Reveals Trade Package That Could Work
- Can Warriors Sign LeBron James and Anthony Davis After Kristaps Porzingis’ M Deal? NBA Salary Cap Expert Suggests Pathway
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in the NBA, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
