NBA Notes: Celtics, Jaylen Brown, Warriors, LeBron James, Cavs

Celtics

The Celtics better be right.

That was the general tone from Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix after Boston traded Jaylen Brown to the 76ers for Paul George and draft compensation.

Mannix noted that Brown did not ask out, was still in his prime and had just helped carry Boston through a 56-win season. George, meanwhile, is 36 and has dealt with multiple injury issues in recent years.

So the question remains: Why now?

Mannix wrote that Boston may have had basketball, financial and personal reasons for moving Brown, but added that the Celtics clearly got worse in the short term.

That’s the gamble.

Boston is betting George still has enough left, the picks will matter, and Jayson Tatum will return to full strength. Philadelphia, meanwhile, now has Brown alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

Warriors

The Warriors’ LeBron James dream may be fading.

Brad Botkin of CBS Sports wrote that Golden State could be in trouble if James signs elsewhere, simply because the Warriors have spent much of the offseason waiting.

They re-signed Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and De’Anthony Melton, but have yet to make the type of splash that would clearly move them back into title contention.

And if James is prioritizing championship odds, Golden State may not be the cleanest fit.

The Warriors would still be fascinating with James, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. But if LeBron passes, Golden State may be left mostly running it back while the rest of the West continues getting younger, deeper and more aggressive.

Cavaliers

Then there are the Cavaliers.

A Sports Illustrated piece argued that Cleveland would make the most sense if James truly plans to film what could be his final NBA season for a documentary or episodic series.

Frankly, it’s not hard to see why. If this is about story, Cleveland has the best one.

James grew up in Akron, began his career with the Cavs, returned once already and delivered the 2016 championship. A final season back home would give the documentary a natural ending, whether or not it ends with another title.

The Cavs also happen to be good enough to make the basketball part interesting. Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen give the Cavs a pretty good foundation.

As Hoops Wire has relayed, there is growing belief around the NBA that Cleveland may be the likeliest landing spot.

But this is LeBron. Until he announces it, everything remains a guess.