All roads are leading to a Jaylen Brown–Boston Celtics divorce, and the tension just keeps getting uglier. After a botched Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit, the Celtics are still actively engaging in trade talks, and much like before, Brown will be part of any package. Here are three NBA teams that make perfect sense as Brown’s next landing spot sooner or later, as the Jaylen Brown sweepstakes slowly ensue.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Since LeBron James left in 2018, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been stuck in the East—not because they lack talent, but because they cannot break through to the Finals. They have enormous talent with Donovan Mitchell at the helm, but they have been searching for a wing who excels on both ends of the floor. With Giannis Antetokounmpo already off the table, Jaylen Brown stands out as one of the best two-way players available.
The Cavs have been in talks with the Celtics over the past week, but nothing has materialized yet. Cleveland has a list of blue-chip talents (i.e., James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen), but their draft capital is limited, as they do not have a guaranteed first-round pick until 2030. For Boston, draft picks remain critical in shaping the franchise’s future over the next five or so years.
Houston Rockets
Houston suffered a gut punch in the 2026 NBA after losing badly to the Lakers in the first round. It became evident that they needed another star to pair with Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. With so much happening in H-Town, betting on Jaylen Brown seems like a wise choice. The 29-year-old guard is coming off his best season yet, even receiving “MVP” chants last year. Brown could also reunite with his former head coach, Ime Udoka, who led the Celtics to the NBA Finals in 2022.
Technically, the Rockets can put together a good trade package to entice the Celtics, but the question is whether they can do so without breaking up their young core. Reports suggest Boston is not interested in Sengun, and even if the Celtics want Kevin Durant to “win now,” they face the dilemma of relying on a 38-year-old star for the 2026–2027 season.
Atlanta Hawks
Jaylen Brown joining the Atlanta Hawks feels like the most natural landing spot. After all, he is from Marietta, Georgia—just a 30-minute drive from Atlanta. Not only would he be closer to home, but he would also be playing for his home-state team.
Location aside, the Hawks are fringe contenders in the Eastern Conference and need another superstar to elevate their roster. A scoring wing who won Finals MVP just two years ago could be the missing piece. The question is how Brown would affect the Hawks’ chemistry, which they have recently solidified.
Jalen Johnson was an All-Star and an All-NBA awardee last season, making him untouchable for now. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu are also difficult to part with after becoming success stories in Atlanta. On the other hand, the Hawks have the budget to absorb Brown’s supermax contract, as no player on their roster currently earns more than $30 million annually.
Without a doubt, Jaylen Brown would put the Hawks on the map and push them deeper into the playoffs—if the Celtics like what Atlanta has to offer.
