A three-team trade concept that would send Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown to the Atlanta Hawks was first outlined by Eric Pincus. The idea taps Brown’s personal connection to Georgia, he was born and raised in Marietta, and revives discussions the Hawks and Celtics held last offseason about moving the forward.

Brown’s contract is a major factor in any deal. He will earn $57.1 million next season and remains under contract through the 2028-29 campaign. In July he becomes eligible for a two-year, $142 million extension, adding to the three seasons left on his current deal, which together total $183 million in guaranteed money.

On the court, Brown posted a 28.7-point, 6.9-rebound and 5.1-assist average for Boston this regular season. In the first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers he averaged 25.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists, despite the Celtics falling in seven games after holding a 3-1 lead. His career averages sit at 20.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, underscoring his reputation as one of the league’s top two-way players.

The Hawks, meanwhile, exited the postseason after a six-game loss to the New York Knicks. Their roster features emerging talents such as Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, but the franchise has not won a playoff series since 2021, the year Trae Young carried Atlanta to the Eastern Conference Finals. Adding a proven All-Star wing would give the team a clear offensive lift and a defensive anchor.

Boston appears willing to explore moving Brown in exchange for Giannis Antetokounmpo, a rumor that suggests the Celtics’ front office is weighing the upside of acquiring a generational talent against the risk of losing Brown. Some observers think Brown wants to be the undisputed No. 1 option, a role he could assume in Atlanta.

If the trade materializes, Atlanta would gain a player capable of creating his own shot, defending multiple positions and shouldering a primary scoring load. Integrating Brown’s ball-dominant style with the existing backcourt will require careful scheme adjustments, but his two-way skill set aligns with the Hawks’ need for a star who can impact both ends of the floor. The size of his contract, however, means the Hawks must balance immediate talent acquisition with long-term cap flexibility, making the three-team structure essential to satisfy both clubs’ objectives.