Brown trade talks begin! Celtics demand Clingan and Camara, Trail Blazers willing to offer Sharpe and Henderson

On June 28, Beijing time, per Sidery, Boston wants Clingan and Camara in the early stages of Jaylen Brown trade talks, whereas Portland hopes to use Sharpe, Henderson, plus picks as the core offer. Compromises from both parties are expected to finalize a middle-ground deal.

Earlier, the Trail Blazers made it clear they would not consider trading All-Star forward Deni Avdija. Portland previously pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo and LaMelo Ball without success, then got involved in Brown trade negotiations.

For weeks, rumors have circulated about Portland's interest in acquiring Brown. Celtics reporter Brian Robb reports that Avdija is off the table; also, Portland's backup interior depth is weak, and Clingan is expected to remain untouchable.

Robb wrote: "League sources told MassLive that all trade talks exclude All-Star Avdija, and it will be extremely difficult for the Celtics to pry away Clingan. Portland has no reliable backup big behind Clingan, Robert Williams is about to become a free agent, and trading Clingan for Brown would leave a massive hole in their frontcourt."

Robb stated that if the deal ultimately materializes, the players Portland sends back to Boston will likely be Jerami Grant, Henderson, or Sharpe, with the entire package including a significant number of draft picks.

"Ultimately, the core of any trade with Portland will be draft assets. The Trail Blazers hold the Bucks' future first-round picks from 2028 to 2030, plus they have a wealth of their own first-round picks," Robb added.

"How many draft picks Portland is willing to offer will directly determine whether Boston accepts this picks-heavy proposal. The Celtics can then use those draft assets to trade for a big man. The team still holds a $27.5 million trade exception, which can be used this offseason to absorb a player without sending matching salary."

If the Celtics insist on acquiring a frontcourt big in the Brown trade, Portland may not be an ideal trading partner. Clingan is a future cornerstone for the team; as a 2024 first-round pick, Portland lacks sufficient interior depth behind him to offer a big that would entice Boston.

But if Brad Stevens is willing to accept a player from a non-center position as compensation, a deal between the two sides becomes possible.