Can star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown become a top ten player in the NBA in Jayson Tatum's absence? If so, what would that look like in practice? The Georgia native has an opportunity to helm the Celtics as its focal point while his injured teammate recovers from a torn Achilles tendon next season -- could Brown realistically make the leap into one of the top stars in the league?

The thing to know about NBA trade season is that it's not really a season. It's a year-round exercise that eventually pulls just about every player in the league into one speculative deal or another.

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, right, during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) AP