Jaylen Brown Creates His Best Starting 5 From Current NBA Players—No Celtics Allowed

Jaylen Brown recently made headlines with a fun but revealing exercise during his appearance on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast—naming his ideal starting five from current NBA players, with one key twist: no Boston Celtics allowed. 

As expected, Brown's choices stirred up conversations across the basketball world, as fans and analysts dissected what his lineup says about his basketball mind, peer respect, and the evolving nature of the game.

"I'mma go Steph. I think Steph is the greatest PG of all time. Obviously, point guard has evolved. It's not like just about, you know, setting guys up, but I feel like the way that—the way Curry shoot the three, man, it just—if he's on the floor, it opens up the floor for everybody else. So I'm gonna go Steph at the one."

"I'm going to just choose—I'm going to go Ant-Man at the two. This is current. I'm going to go Ant-Man at the two. I'm going to go KD at the three—or maybe KD at the four. LeBron. I'm going to go KD at the three, LeBron at the four. I'm gonna go Wemby at the five."

Brown kicked off his lineup with none other than Stephen Curry at point guard.The respect for Curry’s gravity and game-changing shot-making is universal at this point, and Brown’s acknowledgment affirms just how much current stars value Steph’s unique skill set.

At shooting guard, Brown selected Anthony Edwards, affectionately known as "Ant-Man." The 22-year-old Timberwolves star has exploded into superstardom this season, becoming one of the most dominant two-way wings in the league. 

Brown’s choice highlights a passing of the torch in some ways—Edwards embodies the next generation of athletic, fearless scorers, and the fact that he made the list over more established guards is a testament to his rapid ascent.

On the wing, Brown went with Kevin Durant at the three and LeBron James at the four—a pairing that speaks volumes about his reverence for greatness. Despite their age, both KD and LeBron continue to play at a remarkably high level, and Brown clearly values their intelligence, versatility, and unmatched experience. 

With Durant’s effortless scoring and LeBron’s all-around genius, this forward combo would give any team an unstoppable engine.

Rounding out the lineup at center was the youngest name of the group—Victor Wembanyama. The 7-foot-4 phenom has already captivated the league with his jaw-dropping blend of size, agility, and skill. 

Brown’s inclusion of Wemby over more established bigs like Jokic, Embiid, or Giannis reflects just how revolutionary the Frenchman appears to his peers. Even in his first season, Wembanyama has convinced top-tier stars like Brown that he belongs in conversations with the elite.

It’s not just an entertaining thought experiment—it’s a glimpse into how NBA stars evaluate each other. Brown didn’t simply go with the most decorated players or MVPs; he picked a blend of peak shooting, power, youth, and high IQ. 

And the Celtics twist only added to the intrigue, ensuring there was no hometown bias. In doing so, Jaylen Brown gave fans a rare look into the mind of a rising star who both respects the past and sees the future of the game clearly.

One thing’s for sure—this five would be an absolute nightmare to defend.