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Blockbuster NBA Trade Idea Sends 3 Magic Players to Celtics

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated May 28, 2025 9:19 PM ET

The Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic faced each other in the first round of this year's NBA playoffs.

The Celtics won the series in five games, winning Games 1, 2, 4 and 5 to send the Magic home.

However, Boston lost to the New York Knicks in the conference semifinals in six games. Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 and the All-Star could miss all of next season.

If the Celtics don't make any trades this offseason, they will have the most expensive roster in the NBA next season.

The new Boston ownership group may not want to spend over $500 million on a roster that won't be a title contender since Tatum is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 campaign.

Should Boston decide to break up its core this offseason, Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report proposed that the Celtics trade Jaylen Brown to the Magic for Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Black, Moritz Wagner, a 2028 first-round pick (top-1-protected) and a 2030 first-round pick (top-6-protected).

"This is mostly about saving cash for Boston, but Black is a promising guard prospect, while Isaac is among the league’s best defenders," Hughes wrote. "His remaining four years and $59 million is only guaranteed for a total of $23 million. Wagner could replace free agent Al Horford and comes off the books after his 2025-26 team option."

Isaac averaged 5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks this season, Black averaged 9.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists and Wagner averaged 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists before tearing his left ACL.

Isaac will make $15 million next season, Black will make $7.9 million and Wagner will make $11 million.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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