The Portland Trail Blazers remain engaged in discussions around a potential trade for Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown, but the team appears determined to protect several of its most valuable young pieces.
According to Danny Marang, Portland’s expected trade framework for Brown would likely involve Jerami Grant, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson and draft capital rather than Deni Avdija, Donovan Clingan or Toumani Camara.
Marang reported that Avdija, Clingan and Camara are not expected to be part of the conversation, leaving Portland with a narrower group of assets to build a competitive offer.
“If Portland dealt DC, they would then be in the exact same boat as BOS, trying to find a starting caliber big in a pretty thin market,” Marang wrote, referring to Clingan.
He added that if the Blazers prioritize keeping their young center, the team may need to increase the amount of draft compensation included in the deal.
Brown would give Portland a proven top-level scorer as it tries to accelerate its rebuild. The Celtics forward averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists during the 2025-26 season while earning All-NBA Second Team honors and finishing sixth in MVP voting.
The Blazers finished 42-40 and entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference before falling to the San Antonio Spurs in five games. Adding Brown would give Portland another primary creator alongside Avdija, Sharpe, Henderson and Clingan.
Avdija became one of Portland’s most important players last season, averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 66 games while making his first All-Star appearance. His removal from discussions significantly changes Boston’s potential return, as the Celtics would lose the opportunity to acquire a 25-year-old forward already operating as a lead offensive option.
Sharpe and Henderson become the most logical young players to monitor. Sharpe averaged 20.8 points per game while shooting 33.7% from three, while Henderson posted 14.2 points and 3.7 assists in his second NBA season. Both players still carry upside, but Portland could view Brown as a player capable of immediately raising its ceiling.
Grant also remains a natural salary-matching piece. The veteran forward averaged 18.6 points per game and shot 38.9% from three, making him a useful offensive player for Boston if included.
Clingan’s inclusion appears to be the biggest sticking point. The 22-year-old center started all 77 games in 2025-26 and averaged 12.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks while shooting 52% from the field. Marang argued that Clingan’s combination of size, rebounding and rim protection is difficult to replace.
With Portland potentially willing to offer multiple first-round picks, the Celtics may have to decide whether future draft flexibility is more valuable than acquiring another young cornerstone. Boston finished 56-26 but lost in seven games to Philadelphia in the first round, making Brown’s future a major offseason storyline.
A three-team structure could eventually become the path forward, but the gap between what Portland wants to keep and what Boston may demand remains significant.
