Celtics have several blockbuster options after Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to Miami originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Unfortunately for the Boston Celtics, they came up inches short of winning the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, as he was traded to one of their top rivals in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat.
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Now, the Celtics will have to pivot, as it was rumored Brown has been wanting his own team for a while now. Luckily, there are some stars on the board that could headline a package for Brown, and look good in Boston colors.
Alperen Sengun would fill out center nicely
Alperen Sengun
© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Sengun was pegged by analysts to be one of the best assets a team could get right now, and for good reason. He’s coming off his second All-Star season in a row, and finished the season averaging 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 33.3 minutes per game.
Sengun in Boston could be a perfect match. He could be the inside presence they need for gravity, and with his great playmaking ability, he could kick out to the open shooters. The connection between Houston and Brown has been there for a while as well, so a package for him makes sense.
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Domantas Sabonis would work as well
Domantas Sabonis
© Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Sabonis would be another big man option, as he is on the trade block as well. A double-double machine and three-time rebound champ, Sabonis would work perfectly in Boston’s system.
He’s coming off a season-ending injury, but that would lower his price. If the Celtics pursue him, they may not even have to offer Brown, and could offer a package around Derrick White.
In his last fully healthy season in 2024-25, Sabonis averaged a 19.1 points, a career-high 13.9 rebounds which led the league, six assists, while shooting nearly 42% from deep. For a team that likes to shoot, this is another match made in heaven.
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Trey Murphy III is a more likely option
New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III
Apr 3, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (25) during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Of the three listed, acquiring Murphy seems the most realistic. Boston has been a fan of him for a while, and for good reason. He would fit perfectly into Mazzulla Ball; he just finished averaging a career-high 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 38% from deep.
If the Celtics were to trade Brown for him, they would need to get a haul. Not as big as Giannis’, but somewhere in the ballpark. If not, another White package could be the answer.
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Hopefully, Boston gets to work, as the NBA Draft starts in just a few hours, and with that, precious assets will be used up.
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