The New Orleans Pelicans have emerged as serious suitors for Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, according to a new report from NBA insider Jake Fischer (h/t Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson). The development signals a major shift for a franchise coming off a dismal 26-56 season that left it 11th in the Western Conference and out of the playoffs entirely.
Brown, 29, averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game last season while earning All-NBA Second Team honors and finishing sixth in MVP voting. He is entering the third year of a five-year, $285 million contract and brings proven playoff experience as a former Finals MVP.
Pelicans sources describe an unusually aggressive front-office stance heading into the offseason. Nearly every established player is available except two young cornerstones the organization views as long-term pillars.
Rookie guard Jeremiah Fears and center Derik Queen are the only untouchables. Both earned spots on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team after strong debut campaigns. Fears averaged 14.3 points and 3.4 assists in 82 games, while Queen posted 11.7 points and 7.1 rebounds across 81 contests.
The status of franchise forward Zion Williamson is more fluid. The 25-year-old averaged 21.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in 62 games last season. Team sources indicated the Pelicans prefer to keep him but “aren’t married to him if they can offload him” in the right deal.
Any package for Brown would likely revolve around guard Dejounte Murray, forward Trey Murphy III, and significant draft capital. Murray appeared in only 14 games last season, averaging 16.7 points and 6.4 assists. Murphy emerged as a primary scorer, posting 21.5 points per game on 47.0% shooting across 66 starts.
Such a swap would dramatically reshape both rosters. New Orleans would gain a high-usage, two-way wing with deep playoff experience to anchor its perimeter attack. Boston would receive Murray’s defensive versatility and playmaking plus Murphy’s elite floor-spacing to help restock after losing a core piece.
The Pelicans are also exploring secondary moves to create salary flexibility. Expiring contracts belonging to Jordan Poole, Jordan Hawkins, and Kevon Looney are viewed as useful matching pieces. Poole averaged 13.4 points in 39 games, Hawkins shot 34.8% from three in a reserve role, and Looney provided rebounding in limited minutes.
With the 2026 draft and free agency looming, New Orleans appears determined to either land a proven star like Brown or fully commit to its young core of Fears and Queen. Either path marks a clear break from the roster that finished near the bottom of the West standings.
