Two months ago, it seemed unlikely that the Los Angeles Lakers would ever have a shot at Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown. Brown was putting the finishing touches on an All-NBA season that saw him lead the injury-decimated Celtics to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Fast forward to June, however, and Boston reportedly hasn't ruled out the possibility of trading him.
If the Celtics are truly open to trading Brown, then the Lakers need to get their bitter rivals on the phone and see how far they can get down the path to acquiring him.
Brown, who will turn 30 in October, is well on his way to being a Hall of Fame lock. He's one of the best two-way players in the NBA, as well as a proven postseason performer with a championship to his name. Unfortunately, the Celtics' first-round exit has seemingly called his future in Boston into question.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Celtics haven't engaged in "meaningful" trade discussions revolving around Brown—but they haven't ruled it out as a possibility.
"Those same sources likewise insist that the Celtics have yet to engage in any meaningful trade conversation this spring involving Jaylen Brown after Brown's tremendous 2025-26 campaign … but it also hasn't been categorically dismissed as a possibility."
If Boston is truly open to trade discussions, then the Lakers should go all in on pairing Luka Doncic with one of the best players in the NBA.
Jaylen Brown hits trade market just as Lakers get sign-and-trade options
Brown finished the 2025-26 regular season with averages of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steal, and 2.0 three-point field goals made per game. He did so while shooting at a clip of .477/.347/.795. For his efforts, he earned All-NBA Second Team recognition and finished fifth in MVP voting.
Brown added the accolade to a résumé that already includes a championship, a Finals MVP award, and five All-Star Game appearances.
As for what he'd bring to Los Angeles, Brown is the physical and athletic wing the Lakers need next to Doncic. He's a dynamic slasher who can score at all three levels, combining power and skill in a way to which few perimeter players can compare.
Brown is also known to step up during the playoffs with a career postseason average of 23.0 points per game on .481/.356/.735 shooting. He's done all of this while defending at a high level.
Thankfully, this golden opportunity to potentially trade for Brown has arrived at a time when the Lakers have two high-value sign-and-trade options: LeBron James and Austin Reaves. Such a move could only work if one of the two is actually interested in going to Boston, but the door is at least partially open.
If either is interested in doing so, then a sign-and-trade revolving around Brown and Reaves could get the ball rolling on a blockbuster deal. It's admittedly ambitious, but Brown is worth the risk.
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