While the Celtics have attempted to avoid keeping Jaylen Brown‘s name out of trade rumors, the All-NBA wing would almost certainly have to be included in any trade that sends Giannis Antetokounmpo to Boston, and Sam Amick of The Athletic suggests that the Celtics would be comfortable making a one-for-one swap of the two stars.

However, it’s “widely believed” that Brown alone wouldn’t be enough for the Bucks if they were trading Giannis, Amick writes, and it’s unclear how much more aggressive the Celtics – who could trade up to three first-round picks – are prepared to be.

If the Celtics stick with their star duo of Brown and Jayson Tatum, they figure to pursue other trade avenues in an effort to upgrade their roster. League sources tell Amick that Boston is one of many teams interested in acquiring wing Trey Murphy III from the Pelicans.

Here are a few more notes and rumors from Amick:

• The Trail Blazers don’t appear to be aggressively pursuing Antetokounmpo at the moment, but they’d have “serious” interest in Brown if he’s available, league sources tell Amick. Giannis’ reluctance to sign an extension in Portland and his ability to reach free agency in 2027 have apparently put a damper on the Blazers’ push to acquire him, whereas Brown has three years left on his contract.
• Although there hasn’t been much chatter involving Ja Morant as of late, the Grizzlies are hopeful that the two-time All-Star will emerge as a team’s “Plan B” after the Antetokounmpo situation is resolved, Amick reports. The Heat, in particular, have long been known to have real interest in Morant, Amick continues, so if Miami is unable to land Antetokounmpo, Memphis may try to extract a couple of the pieces that would’ve been in the Heat’s Giannis package.
• While Amick is able to confirm that the Warriors and Heat are among the teams with interest in Kawhi Leonard, he says no one seems to know whether the Clippers forward will be available or how the conclusion of the NBA’s investigation into potential salary cap circumvention may impact the situation. For what it’s worth, one recent report indicated that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has been adamantly opposed to trading Leonard.