3 Eastern Conference wings floated as Atlanta Hawks’ trade targets

Boston Celtics G/F Jaylen Brown

“If [Jaylen] Brown hits the trade block, Atlanta should offer the sun, moon and stars to Boston. He is exactly what this team needs, simultaneously scratching itches for defense, shooting, secondary scoring (and distributing) and star power.”

The 6-foot-6 swingman averaged 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists all of which set or met previous career-best marks. If there is one criticism of the two-way star, it’s that his three-point efficiency dipped to 33.5% (career-high 7.3 attempts per game) – the lowest it’s been in his career.

Brown-to-Atlanta rumors have been a staple of every transaction cycle over the last few years with the Hawks’ needs being what they are and Brown hailing from Marietta, Georgia.

He even showed up to his postgame press conference donning an Atlanta Braves cap.

Brown’s situation is the most clouded some outsiders believing it will take an All-NBA bid – and the salary that comes with it – to keep the 26-year-old’s eyes from wandering in free agency.

Coincidentally, Brown’s deal expires after the 2024-24 season at the same time as Murray’s who is even more destined to at least hit the open market than his Celtics counterpart due to the structure of his contract.

Of course, with the Milwaukee Bucks out of the way, the Celtics are the conference favorite.

Another run to the NBA Finals, and perhaps even taking home the Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of it all this time, could go a mighty long way to keeping the band together in Bean Town.

However, that does not mean the Hawks should not explore every possible angle.