Portland Just Missed Giannis. Now They Have a Clear Shot at Jaylen Brown.

The Portland Trail Blazers struck out on Giannis Antetokounmpo. That much is clear after the Greek star wound up in Miami. But the Blazers aren’t done. Not even close.

According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Portland has emerged as the frontrunner to land Jaylen Brown in a trade with the Boston Celtics. Amick wrote that the Celtics have been asking for up to four first-round picks in any Brown deal, and the Blazers are the team best positioned to meet that price. Denver was mentioned as a potential suitor, but Amick called that interest unrealistic given what the Nuggets can actually offer.

Brown’s relationship with the Celtics was already shaky before Boston dangled him in trade talks for Antetokounmpo. That move didn’t exactly smooth things over. Brown gave the Celtics everything this season, and the front office still tried to ship him out. It’s hard to imagine he’s thrilled about staying now.

The timing works for Portland. New owner Tom Dundon wants to make a splash. This is his first real offseason calling the shots, and the Blazers have assets to burn. They already offered Jerami Grant, Shaedon Sharpe, and draft capital for Giannis. A similar package could work for Brown.

On the court, it makes sense too. Damian Lillard is expected back healthy next season. Pair him with a prime-aged two-way wing like Brown, and suddenly the Blazers look dangerous. Portland surprised everybody by grabbing the seventh seed in the West this year, ending a four-year playoff drought. Adding Brown could push them from plucky surprise to legitimate threat.

The supporting cast isn’t bad either. Deni Avdija and Jrue Holiday provide veteran stability. Donovan Clingan gives them size. Toumani Camara brings energy. Brown would slot in as the clear number two option behind Lillard, with room to take over games when Lillard sits.

Other teams are lurking. The Hawks, Pelicans, Grizzlies, and Rockets have all been linked to Brown. But none of them have the same combination of veteran trade chips and draft stock that Portland can offer. The Blazers have the picks. They have the salaries to match. And they have a motivated front office that just missed on its first big target.

Nobody knows for sure if the Celtics will actually pull the trigger. But if they do, Portland looks like the team to beat.