NBA Trade Rumors: 2 Celtics Champions Head to Houston in Proposed Blockbuster

The Boston Celtics' glaring need to get under the second apron in their luxury tax crunch has been a hot topic of late. Pundits everywhere are suggesting big moves are on the way this summer for the C's to cut salary. Now the team's biggest fan, Bill Simmons, is proposing a deal that would slash all sorts of cash from the Celtics' cap, and send two of their key World Champion starters to the Houston Rockets.

The problem for the Celtics, is that next season could be a write-off, with Jayson Tatum out for the year with a torn Achilles, and questions about how he'll look even upon his return. And their $500 million salary structure just isn't going to work.

In a recent edition of The Bill Simmons Podcast, (h/t to heavy.com), Simmons floated the following trade idea for his beloved team:

Houston Rockets Receive:

Jaylen Brown ($53M)
Jrue Holiday ($32.4M)

Boston Celtics Receive:

Fred VanVleet ($44.8M team option)
Jabari Smith Jr. ($12.3M)
Tari Eason ($5.6M)
2025 No. 10 Pick ($6.3M)

"When I think about the Brown trade, it probably is the one that makes the most sense on paper," said Simmons. "But that means we're splitting up Tatum and Brown, which is something I never wanted them to do."

But, Simmons admits, if it saves them over $20 million, and gets them under the second apron, plus kick-starting their rebuild with a couple of young promising players like Smith Jr. and Eason plus a top ten pick, they might have to consider it.

Could Jaylen Brown be traded by the Celtics this summer?

As for the Rockets, they get the true superstar they've been searching for, and one who is very familiar with Houston head coach Ime Udoka from their time together in Boston.

Brown is a four-time All-Star and former one-time All-NBA. He averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals this past season, while playing his usual stout defense, guarding multiple positions. He'd fit in with Ukoda once again like a glove.

Would the Celtics really trade Brown this summer? Simmons still feels that it's "an all-time last resort. There has to be a better option."

An intriguing offseason is ahead for the 2024 NBA champions.