Jaylen Brown is ‘seriously considering’ a trend-breaking decision for this year’s NBA All-Star Game
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 04: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball past Myles Turner #33 and Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter during the NBA In-Season Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 04, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
It’s no secret the NBA Slam Dunk Contest isn’t what it once was. For the past few years star players have bypassed participating in the event. Last year the winner was Mac McClung, who was primarily a G-League player.
That lack of star power has dampened what used to be one of the most-watched events on the NBA calendar. This year though one player – a member of the Boston Celtics – is considering helping bring star power back to the Dunk Contest.
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On Monday night, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Jaylen Brown “is seriously considering” taking part in this year’s Dunk Contest, which will take place next Saturday as part of All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis. According to Charania, Brown “has been mulling over the possibility for several weeks and appears to be very much in play.”
If Brown does decide to take part, he’d be the first All-Star to participate in the Dunk Contest since DeAndre Jordan in 2017. He’d also be the first Celtics to participate since 2007, when Gerald Green won the event. Green was the second Celtic to win the Dunk Contest – Dee Brown took home the title in 1991.
Brown has proven to be an explosive dunker over his eight-year NBA career. If he does end up participating, he should have a good chance to win.
The NBA is planning on announcing the participants for this year’s All-Star Saturday Night later this week, according to Charania. In addition to the Dunk Contest, Saturday night’s competitions will also include the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest.
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Celtics linked to multiple centers ahead of NBA trade deadline
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 25: Andre Drummond #3 of the Chicago Bulls reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at the United Center on October 25, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The NBA trade deadline is just a few days away. Teams have until Thursday, February 8 at 3 p.m. to get any last deals in.
This year’s Boston Celtics roster feels as complete as any has at the deadline in recent memory. On top of that the C’s have a nice cushion in the standings, entering Tuesday a full five games up on the Milwaukee Bucks for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Still, that doesn’t mean there aren’t moves to be made.
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One spot in particular the Celtics could look to add is in the front court with depth thin at that spot. According to a new report, that’s an option they’re exploring.
On Monday, NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype published a list of NBA trade deadline rumors. That included three players he says the Celtics have “expressed interest in.”
Of those three players, two are big men – Andre Drummond from the Chicago Bulls and former Celtic Kelly Olynyk, who is currently with the Utah Jazz. Scotto also included Washington Wizards guard Delon Wright as a player the Celtics have shown interest in.
Which of the three would be the best fit in Boston at the deadline? Here’s a look at each…
Andre Drummond
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 11: Andre Drummond #3 of the Chicago Bulls works against Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at Fiserv Forum on December 11, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Drummond, 30, has played in 50 games for Chicago this year making seven starts. He’s averaging 7.7 points and 8.3 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game. At 6-foot-11, 279 pounds he’d add a serious physical presence at the rim on both ends of the floor for the Celtics. Drummond is in the final year of his contract, which was worth a total of $3.36 million for the 2023-2024 season.
Kelly Olynyk
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 05: Kelly Olynyk #41 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 05, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Originally drafted by the Celtics in 2013, Olynyk spent his first five NBA seasons as a role player in Boston. Since then, he’s played for four teams in eight years, and is currently reunited with Danny Ainge in Utah. Would Ainge do a deal with Brad Stevens to send Olynyk, 32, back to Boston? Olynyk’s ability to play on the perimeter at 6-foot-11, 240 pounds would certainly work with the Celtics’ current play style.
In 49 games this year Olynyk is averaging 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, while shooting 56 percent from the floor and 42.9 percent from three. He’s on an expiring contract that is worth $12.1 million for this season, which would make a deal difficult with the Celtics’ current financial outlook.
Delon Wright
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: Delon Wright #55 of the Washington Wizards dribbles to the hoop against Tre Jones #33 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at Capital One Arena on January 20, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
The lone guard on this list, Wright has played in 28 games for the Wizards this year averaging 4.4 points and 2.8 assists in 15.2 minutes per game. The 31-year-old would help strengthen a Celtics backcourt that includes Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Payton Pritchard. Wright’s expiring contract is worth just over $8 million, which would be a challenge for the Celtics to take on.
