My primary goal was to find a way for the Celtics to cut salary while still remaining highly competitive as it's clear they will have to cut significant salary.

Celtics: Zion is 15mil cheaper than Jaylen, saving the team ~130mil for the 2025-2026 season. On the court, Zion's rebounding will improve a weakness of the Celtics and his lack of outside shot won't be such a detriment while playing next to Porzingis. I'm working on the assumption that Brown holds slightly more value given Zion's issues with conditioning and health.

Heat: A core based around Adebayo, Brown, McCollum and Herro would immediately make the Heat a competitor once again. This would increase their payroll while requiring two 1sts, two 2nd and Jovic.

Pelicans: New Orleans was awful this season and it's unknown if they're willing to roll the dice again with Zion - this trade assumes they're looking to move-on while building around Murphy/Murray.

Notes:

• Tillman needs a change of scenery and I swapped a 2nd from the Heat to the Pelicans to facilitate Matkovic to the Celtics. He's a cheap controllable big who can shoot who would fit well down the Celtics bench. I'm assuming his trade value is minor.

• Rozier is another change of scenery guy. I don't see him as a long-term piece for the Pelicans so he may be moved to a 3rd team or receive a chance to bounce-back and be moved before the 2026 trade deadline.

• This trade will set the Pelicans up to be major players in the 2026 off-season with Rozier and Robinson (along with Olynyk) both coming off the books.