‘Make a move,’ Kendrick Perkins urges the Warriors to trade for Jaylen Brown to save Steph Curry’s window

The Golden State Warriors are facing a critical crossroads this offseason. Now, former NBA champion and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins is publicly calling for the front office to execute a blockbuster trade for Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown. Perkins argued that Golden State must abandon its patience and make an aggressive, legacy-defining move to maximize the remaining elite years of Stephen Curry’s career.

With the Celtics actively listening to offers for Brown following their failed pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Perkins believes the Warriors are the perfect destination to absorb a superstar who can immediately alter the landscape of the Western Conference.

“When you talk about Steph Curry in the last few years with the Golden State Warriors and giving them a fair shot at winning the NBA championship, you realize 5 of the top 25 oldest players in the NBA are on the Golden State Warriors. They continue to get older, a single citizen group, and Steph Curry is still playing at an elite level,” Perkins said.

Golden State’s resistance to moving its future draft assets has left Curry carrying an immense offensive burden, a strategy that is becoming less sustainable by the day. By targeting Brown, a battle-tested wing in the absolute prime of his career, the Warriors would signal a total commitment to winning right now, giving their franchise icon a legitimate co-star capable of anchoring a championship-caliber offense and defense.

1. Perkins Demands Aggressive Move From Front Office

Appearing on ESPN’s NBA coverage, Perkins drew a direct parallel to the franchise’s history under owner Joe Lacob, reminding fans of how the front office reacted with ultimate aggression after blowing a three-to-one lead in the 2016 NBA Finals by going out and securing Kevin Durant. According to Perkins, a similar tier of aggression is required right now, and adding a 28-year-old or 29-year-old superstar like Brown is the definitive answer.

2. The Fallout of the Celtics’ Pursuit of Giannis

The trade market for Brown exploded in the wake of the Boston Celtics making him the centerpiece of their aggressive trade offer to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. While the Bucks ultimately decided to send the two-time MVP to the Miami Heat instead, the public nature of the negotiations left an undeniable scar on the relationship between Brown and the Celtics’ front office. League insiders, including ESPN’s Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst, have since confirmed that Boston remains highly engaged in trade discussions involving their star wing, with rival front offices sensing a clear intent from Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens to see a deal through. This sudden availability has sparked what league executives are preparing for as a massive bidding war. Jaylen Brown’s statistics in 2025/26 are clear to everyone. He had 28.7 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game, and 5.1 assists per game. He carried the Celtics to the second seed in the Eastern Conference, a feat made even more impressive by the fact that he did it largely without Jayson Tatum, who missed a massive portion of the year while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Despite Brown’s spectacular play and a sixth-place finish in the NBA MVP race, the organization’s willingness to dangle him in trade talks has signaled to the rest of the league that the 2024 NBA Finals MVP is officially obtainable for the right price.

3. An Unraveling Relationship in Boston

The public trade rumors have created an untenable situation in Boston. Perkins is asserting that the relationship between Brown and the Celtics is completely beyond repair. Perkins compared the front office’s treatment of Brown to giving him “a hug with a knife behind his back”. The recurring disrespect from decision-makers has reportedly left Brown feeling deeply unappreciated, fueling the sentiment among rival executives that he has likely played his final game in a Celtics uniform. “Like Usher would say, ‘Send in those papers,’ because this relationship is over. There’s no coming back from this. How many times are Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics going to give Jaylen Brown a hug with a knife behind his back? This is the second time they’ve tried to trade this man. And if I’m Jaylen Brown, I want out of Boston. I don’t feel appreciated,” Kendrick Perkins said. Compounding the tension are the distinct organizational dynamics between Boston’s two star wings. Perkins explained that the Celtics have made it unmistakably clear that the franchise belongs exclusively to Jayson Tatum, who is viewed as the organization’s marketable poster child. Meanwhile, Brown’s candid commentary on recent off-court livestreams has occasionally ruffled feathers within the front office. With former players like Danny Green publicly agreeing that Brown has every right to seek a departure from an organization that views him as disposable, a fresh start appears to be the best outcome for both sides. For the Golden State Warriors to actually land a player of Brown’s caliber, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. would have to assemble a massive package centered on a mix of high-salaried players, promising young talent, and unprotected future draft assets. A realistic trade construction would almost certainly have to start with Andrew Wiggins to match the salary demands, combined with the elite young upside of Jonathan Kuminga or Brandin Podziemski. To satisfy Brad Stevens’ demands, the Warriors would also need to include multiple unprotected first-round picks in the post-Curry era. They may specifically target 2028 and 2030, which rival teams view as incredibly valuable assets given the inevitable aging curve of Golden State’s current core.

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