Shaquille O'Neal Advises Celtics to Break Up Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown

Shaquille O'Neal doesn't believe the Celtics can build a title team around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

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At his end-of-season press conference, Celtics' president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, came across as sincere in stating the franchise views Jaylen Brown as a "big part of us moving forward in our eyes."

As shrewd a poker player as Stevens is, Boston seems poised to offer the two-time All-Star the full five-year, $295 million veteran supermax extension.

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As this author has outlined repeatedly, that seems like the Celtics' best path forward.

And not only can they see what Brown and Jayson Tatum can accomplish together for a portion of their primes, but if in two years, when the new collective bargaining agreement will force Boston to make difficult decisions if its stars are signed to extensions commanding a combined $613 million, if the franchise pivots by parting with the former, Brown will be 28 with plenty of suitors.

And while many, including J.J. Redick and Stephen A. Smith, believe that's how the organization should proceed, four-time NBA champion and three-time Finals MVP Shaquille O'Neal disagrees.

"Listen, I like both of those guys, and I don't want this answer to be taken the wrong way, but the business of any business is to make money," The Big Aristotle expressed on The Big Podcast. "I don't know what the salary cap is, but obviously, they are going to be over the salary cap, and now I can't get players around them. You're going to need shooters, you're going to need dogs, you're going to need another veteran, and you're going to need to create a system to where it works.

"I don't want five stars on my team," O'Neal continued. "I want a guy that I can go to every night, I want a guy that’s going to lead, and I want three dogs, three others. I would prefer (it) if they were specialists. One to be a shooter, one to be a rebounder, and one to be a fighter. I would, business-wise, break them up and use one of them to get the pieces I want. I will say Tatum is the number one; use Brown to bring in a Brown-type player, and then just do it like that."

The Celtics are at a fork in the road. How they proceed will shape what they can accomplish for most and potentially the duration of Tatum's prime. While one choice keeps every option on the table, if they conclude it's best to trade Brown, it's paramount that they hit a home run on the return. Otherwise, they could be paving the way to Tatum's exit too.

Further Reading

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Exploring Potential Payton Pritchard Trades

After Hiring Sam Cassell, Celtics Linked to Another Top Assistant

Stephen Silas, Target for Celtics Coaching Staff, Signs with Detroit Pistons

Sam Cassell Checks Nearly Every Box in Celtics Search to Strengthen Joe Mazzulla's Coaching Staff

Danny Ainge Discusses Celtics' Unfulfilled Potential

Are the Celtics Small Tweaks from a Title? Brad Stevens Thinks So

Brad Stevens Says Celtics View Jaylen Brown as a 'Big Part of Us Moving Forward'

Brad Stevens Discusses Joe Mazzulla's First Year as Celtics' Bench Boss, Strengthening Coaching Staff: 'Joe's Experience Now, You Could Probably Measure in Dog Years'

Celtics' Championship Aspirations Undermined by Identity Crisis