Spurs' dream trade target just emerged thanks to the Celtics

The San Antonio Spurs have already been linked to Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, and now yet another star. Yahoo Sports' Chris Mannix recently mentioned the Spurs as a potential landing spot for Celtic star Jaylen Brown.

That would be a tantalizing option for the Spurs if he were available, considering that he is seven years younger than Durant. Still, the Celtics trading Brown might seem unlikely.

Even so, with superstar Jayson Tatum likely to miss all of next season, they might use that time to retool their roster. That could mean they consider trading Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and even Brown if the price is right.

Would the Boston Celtics trade Jaylen Brown to the Spurs?

Any Brown trade would likely require the Celtics to save significant money and get back multiple rotation players in the process. The Spurs could offer just that by offering Harrison Barnes, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, the 14th pick, and giving the Celtics back the rights to their 2028 first.

That move would give the Celtics two starters, a rotation player, and a lottery pick that will be cost-controlled for the next four seasons. Boston would also regain the rights to the pick they previously traded to the Spurs in the White trade.

That might be a reasonable offer for the Celtics. This is considering that it would break up Brown's contract into three more manageable deals, including Barnes, who will be on an expiring contract.

Should the San Antonio Spurs trade for Jaylen Brown?

Brown won't turn 29 until the start of next season but has already had six 20-point scoring seasons, four All-Star appearances, and won an NBA Finals MVP. He also shows no signs of slowing down, averaging 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists this season.

That's all well and good, but his contract is difficult to get around. He is owed $236 million over the next four seasons, or $59 million a year. That contract would also overlap with De'Aaron Fox's presumed big extension for three seasons and Victor Wembanyama's rookie max extension for a season. That alone might make it cost-prohibitive.

With Durant, his scoring, shooting ability, and defense might fit better, and his contract extension would be up for negotiation. That means that the Spurs could pay him far less than the $63 million on average that Brown would make over those two seasons.

Ultimately, the Spurs have been linked to Brown. Nevertheless, his contract could be prohibitive. Instead, Durant would be the cheaper option and could get them better results in the short term.