The Portland Trail Blazers are not treating the Giannis Antetokounmpo swing and miss like a reason to sit still.
After coming up short on Antetokounmpo, who landed with the Miami Heat, Portland is already being connected to another major name: Jaylen Brown. The Blazers were reportedly aggressive in their pursuit of Antetokounmpo, with Jerami Grant, Shaedon Sharpe and draft capital part of the offer, and that same willingness to push chips in could carry over into a Brown pursuit.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick pointed to Portland as a serious player in the Brown market, writing, “With the (Denver) Nuggets’ reported interest in Brown unrealistic because of what they’re able and willing to offer (the Celtics, per league sources, have been asking for up to four first-round picks, and Portland is seen as the frontrunner there),”
Brown’s situation in Boston already had some tension around it, and the failed Antetokounmpo deal may have only made things more complicated. The 28-year-old gave Boston everything he had this season, but the source material suggests he could be open to a fresh start, even if that means Portland.
From the Blazers’ side, the fit is obvious. Brown is still in his prime, and Portland just surprised the league by grabbing the seventh seed in the Western Conference, snapping a four-year playoff drought. With Damian Lillard expected to return, the Blazers could roll out a core built around Lillard and Brown, with Deni Avdija, Jrue Holiday, Donovan Clingan and Toumani Camara in support.
Portland also has a possible trade framework ready to go. Much like the package it put together for Antetokounmpo, the Blazers could send Grant and draft capital to Boston for Brown.
They are not alone in the chase, though. Brown is also being linked to the Atlanta Hawks, the New Orleans Pelicans, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Houston Rockets.
In Other News...
Blazers Trade Watch Just Took A Serious Jaylen Brown Turn
Jaylen Brown has suddenly become one of the bigger names to monitor around the league, and Portland has at least been mentioned in the early chatter. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that multiple teams have checked in on the Celtics wing, with the Trail Blazers among the clubs showing interest as the rumor mill starts to warm up ahead of whatever trade talks may eventually develop.
For the Blazers, the intrigue is obvious because a Brown pursuit would put them in the middle of a market that has drawn interest from several contenders and hopefuls alike. But these are still only exploratory conversations, not a finished deal, and the broader picture around Brown keeps shifting as some teams stay engaged while others have cooled on the idea of making a serious push. [Read more 🡒]
Blazers Are Starting To Shape Micah Noris First Bench
The Trail Blazers have begun filling out Micah Noris first coaching staff, and their first move brings in a familiar name. Portland has hired Mike Williams as an assistant coach under the first-time head coach, giving Nori an early addition with ties to the organization and a background that stretches across several NBA stops.
Williams previously spent time with the Blazers as a player development intern, later coached the Wizards G League affiliate and most recently served as an assistant with the Jazz. For a staff still taking shape, the hire gives Portland a coach who already knows the market and the franchise, while also suggesting the Blazers are building Noris bench with a mix of continuity and outside experience. [Read more 🡒]