It is all well and good to view Jaylen Brown's 4-year/$115 million contract extension as insurance that he will be in Boston for five more years. I am all for that if Jaylen continues to progress as a player. But Jaylen requesting a max contract brought back to me memories of Isaiah Thomas' "Back up the Brinks truck" statements. As a player, Ainge may have voiced the same requests, but as a GM, he doesn't care for them. I truly believe Danny has never gotten over being traded by Red Auerbach - one of the few bad deals made by Red - and realizes that player-movement is the current way of the NBA.
Brown's contract will be a bargain down the road if he fulfills his promise as a 2-way star. Chances of Brown being traded this season are very slim due to the "Poison Pill" nature of his contract. Making the numbers match on such a trade seems highly unlikely. But Danny is a summer trader anyway. With young Jaylen locked up long-term on a less-than-max deal, Danny can't lose. As a comparison, the Raptors Pascal Siakam, recently signed to a 4-year/$130 million max contract extension had a fabulous season opener. Let's hope Jaylen can show something similar.
If Brown has a breakout season, he may stick in Boston and help bring a few Titles. But if the Celtics big-man lineup can't cut it this season, the Celtics now have a trade-able contract that could bring in a center that would be a better fit in Boston. And that would take place this coming off-season. Ainge always wants to be in serious contention for a Title, and that should happen this season.
Gordon Hayward has a player option next season, and Jayson Tatum will be in a contract year. Kudos to Danny Ainge for locking in Jaylen for the $115 million, which could be less if the incentives don't kick in. In an NBA marked by constant player movement, Danny does a nice job of making moves to keep his team in constant contention for that elusive next Championship.
Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel, @_Celtics_Center and Facebook
Brown's contract will be a bargain down the road if he fulfills his promise as a 2-way star. Chances of Brown being traded this season are very slim due to the "Poison Pill" nature of his contract. Making the numbers match on such a trade seems highly unlikely. But Danny is a summer trader anyway. With young Jaylen locked up long-term on a less-than-max deal, Danny can't lose. As a comparison, the Raptors Pascal Siakam, recently signed to a 4-year/$130 million max contract extension had a fabulous season opener. Let's hope Jaylen can show something similar.
✔️ Max Contract
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) October 23, 2019
✔️ #1 Option
Pascal Siakam went off 🔥
34 points
18 rebounds
5 assists
1 block pic.twitter.com/baeyADLkgW
If Brown has a breakout season, he may stick in Boston and help bring a few Titles. But if the Celtics big-man lineup can't cut it this season, the Celtics now have a trade-able contract that could bring in a center that would be a better fit in Boston. And that would take place this coming off-season. Ainge always wants to be in serious contention for a Title, and that should happen this season.
Gordon Hayward has a player option next season, and Jayson Tatum will be in a contract year. Kudos to Danny Ainge for locking in Jaylen for the $115 million, which could be less if the incentives don't kick in. In an NBA marked by constant player movement, Danny does a nice job of making moves to keep his team in constant contention for that elusive next Championship.
Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel, @_Celtics_Center and Facebook
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