NBA Notebook: More Jaylen Brown explanations, Cavaliers moves, and Pistons problems

During a recent episode of the Beneath the Banners show on the Boston Celtics' official YouTube channel, Brad Stevens shared some additional thoughts on the Jaylen Brown trade. Or, more specifically, an additional explanation.

Based on what he said, it seems clear the Celtics didn't believe they could win another title with Brown and Jayson Tatum as the leaders:

Stevens started: “It’s something that you have to just say, do you think where we currently are…will get us to where we ultimately want to go?” (H/t Daniel Donabedian of CelticsWire) But that wasn't all he had to say, and his follow-up made things even more obvious.

“If not, does it make sense to explore other pathways, even if that could be very tough in the near term?”

Even if that could be very tough in the near term. A statement obviously made about the Brown trade. About the blowback. About all the criticism he and the Celtics have received since making the deal.

Stevens knew what he was getting himself into. He knew the can of worms he was opening. Not only would the Celtics be relentlessly judged, but he would be thrown into the hot seat. An entire fanbase would question his every move.

That's what's happened. Trading Brown is one thing, but trading him for the package Boston got back from the Philadelphia 76ers was another. Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks. For a guy who just finished sixth in MVP voting.

Maybe Brown's value around the league was really that low. That's different from his public perception. But even if that's the case, then why not wait? Why not wait and see if the value went up later in the summer? Well, maybe they thought it would drop.

It's one thing for the Celtics to believe they will be better off with Brown. They could very well be proven right. Perhaps doubling down on Joe Mazzulla-ball, adding players who fit the style and dropping players who don't, could pay off in the long run. The same can be said for the Celtics' desire to reshape their books.

But that still doesn't necessarily explain the decision to trade Brown when Boston did and for what it did. That's what doesn't make sense. And it may never make sense.

On top of that, Bill Chisholm recently made an appearance on The Greg Hill Show. He followed up on some of the comments he made during the post-Brown trade press conference, noting that the front office had to convince him that trading Brown was the right move.

"I needed to be convinced," Chisholm said on Hill's show during WEEI's 24th annual Jimmy Fund telethon. He implied as much back in July, but this was stated as plainly as possible.

This was a front-office decision. The Celtics believe their future will be better without Brown. It was only a money move in the sense of rearranging the team's books to create more roster-building flexibility, not for the literal task of cutting salary.

Between Stevens and Chisholm's latest comments, all that is as clear as ever. It may not make sense, and it may not be proven right or wrong for years, but Boston wanted out of the Brown business. And they were willing to make this trade to get out of it.

1. Cavaliers' Peyton Watson trade

The Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off a sign-and-trade for Peyton Watson, ending his restricted free agency stint with the Denver Nuggets. Watson will join the Cavaliers on a four-year, $88 million contract.

The deal was expanded into a five-team trade that also includes the LA Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards. Denver could not take any players back because they were over the second apron.

That said, Denver ended up getting a 2031 first-rounder from the Cavs and a 2032 second via the Sacramento Kings. They also got Cam Whitmore, though he will reportedly be waived.

Max Strus ended up going to the Clippers in the trade. Tre Mann was moved to the Wizards, alongside a 2027 Clippers second and cash considerations. Lastly, Dennis Schroder ended up in Charlotte, meaning this trade was wrapped up with that one.

Cleveland will likely use Watson as their fifth starter, alongside James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. The 23-year-old will provide them with a hefty dose of defense, 3-point shooting, and athleticism.

2. James Harden's new contract

The Watson trade wasn't the only move the Cavaliers made recently. Less than 24 hours after that sign-and-trade, Cleveland finally re-signed Harden to a new deal.

They inked him to a three-year, $97 million contract. An AAV of just over $32 million per season. He'll probably make just under $30 million in the first year, meaning the Cavaliers will stay under the second apron.

Harden was always going to re-sign with the Cavs. But he waited to re-up so he could sign for a number that would help the Cavs stay under the second apron. It's a big reason why they were able to make the big swing for Watson.

3. 76ers workout tape

The Sixers made waves on social media, as LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, and Brown were videoed in a workout together. They were working with famous basketball trainer Chris Johnson.

Fans immediately ate up the content, getting excited about what's to come. Three superstars on the same team, and they're already in the gym together.

4. Pistons' contract problems

Watson was one of the biggest restricted-free-agent cases still on the rocks. That got solved when he was traded to the Cavaliers. Now, it's Bennedict Mathurin and Jalen Duren left. But Duren is the bigger fish to fry.

He was an All-Star and All-NBA Third Team honoree last season, but a rough postseason tanked his value a bit. Now, he and the Pistons are still working on a new extension, with a huge gap between what each side wants.

To make matters worse, the Duren situation could get in the way of the Pistons' ability to re-sign Ausar Thompson next summer. At least, that's what The Athletic's John Hollinger believes:

"I see two dominoes here. First, the Pistons need to know what Duren’s number will be on their books in 2028 and 2029 before they can finalize their cap planning and determine their best path for Thompson’s next deal. Second, there is an important question of which player they value more, one that will play out rather publicly if Thompson inks an extension shortly after Duren’s deal is completed."

If Duren ends up accepting the qualifying offer, the Pistons will have to re-sign him in unrestricted free agency next summer. And that would make it much harder to figure out how much they will pay both players.

5. Klay Thompson or DeMar DeRozan?

The Miami Heat are reportedly interested in signing Klay Thompson if and when he agrees to a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks. However, that has left DeMar DeRozan in limbo, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald:

“The Heat has 12 players on standard deals; the 13th would go to Klay Thompson if Dallas buys him out and he agrees to terms,” Jackson wrote. “The 14th could go to a center, with small forward Demar DeRozan and guard Gabe Vincent among others who have received consideration. But DeRozan wants exception money, and the Heat is holding that for Thompson.”

Thompson, even at his age, would be a solid fit next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. DeRozan? Less so. But adding his ball-handling would be a solid fallback option.