Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

There was indeed some anxiousness early on for Brown, selected by Boston with the third overall pick in last June’s NBA draft. But those nerves soon gave way to a string of strong plays that included a powerful, one-handed dunk that brought the Mullins Center fans to their feet.

“He had the crowd going crazy, the bench going crazy,” said Terry Rozier, referring to Brown’s fourth-quarter dunk. “That’s something he’s going to be good for doing. He can jump out the gym. He plays very athletic. He’s going to see a lot of minutes this year, I feel.”
…

“Once the game really slows down for him, it’s going to be scary for a lot of people,” Rozier said.

CSNNE – Boston Celtics impressed by first-round draft pick Jaylen Brown 

One of the big storylines from Tuesday’s pre-season opener was the loud introduction of Jaylen Brown– when he met the rim with authority in the fourth quarter. There are unquestionably going to be potential-oozing ups and head-shaking downs while watching the rook find his way– very rarely can one definitively declare that an NBA rookie is destined to be an all-star, but putting one’s chips behind a rookie like Brown can be exhilarating when he shows flashes of athleticism and poise like he did in Amherst.

His teammates certainly took notice, and since the Cs are prepared to supplement any Brown playing time with Jonas Jerebko, who’s been in the system for over a season and Gerald Green who has logged meaningful minutes on good teams in the past few years, there’s no need to completely throw him into the fire too quickly.

However…

So if a superstar demands a trade — DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davismight be strong candidates — or a team decides to reboot, the Celtics will be there to offer what’s probably the most enticing package.

It’s hard to imagine that this package would not contain the Celtics’ youngest player, the third pick in the 2016 draft, Jaylen Brown. Trade partners probably aren’t looking to get merely solid players back, but would rather receive a high-risk, high-reward player in return. Brown, who will turn 20 in October and was one of the most athletic players in the draft, certainly fits that bill.

ESPN – NBA players most likely to be traded this season in the Eastern Conference

This is a highly speculative piece, and since the Cs are seen as a team in a constant state of searching for a superstar, it’s not surprising that a Celtic makes this list, but dangling Brown to get that transformational star could have some merit.

If he makes the most of his minutes early on, there’s no doubt that Brown becomes the starting point when another GM picks up the phone to call Danny Ainge. The Cs have more Jaylen Browns coming if they can keep one, or both Brooklyn picks while giving Brown up as the centerpiece of a deal. Remember when the big knock on this draft pick was that Danny didn’t take a player who could help right now (Murray, Dunn, Hield)? Brown also isn’t a player who can’t help this year (Chriss, Bender, Maker). He has the boom potential of the guys in that latter group, but not nearly the bust potential, either. Jaylen Brown could either be “scary good” here in Boston, or he could help the Cs bring in a “scary good” player.

Related Links: 

ESPN – Celtics laud rookie Jaylen Brown’s potential after pre-season debut

Mass Live – Terry Rozier: ‘(He’s) gonna be scary’

On page 2, eyes on the second unit tonight

Based on what happened during Tuesday night’s exhibition loss to Philadelphia, the Celtics’ second unit has nowhere to go but up.

The reserves as a group obviously aren’t that bad. During the first two weeks of training camp, they have routinely given the starters a rough challenge, winning almost as many scrimmages as they have lost.

“We’re going to be really good. Everyone has to try and figure things out, how to play with other guys,” guard Marcus Smart said after yesterday’s practice at Greensboro Coliseum, where the Celtics will play Charlotte tonight in their second preseason game.

Herald – Second unit has some work to do

One word for the second unit on Tuesday night: Yuck.

It’s possible the group was resting on its laurels after routinely beating the Cs first unit through the first week of practice. We’ll see how things go tonight.

The rest of the links:

Mass Live – With Gerald Green returning soon, who will the Boston Celtics play on the perimeter? | Yes, Terry Rozier considers himself the Boston Celtics’ backup PG

CSNNE – Bob Ryan: Horford showed his versatility vs. 76ers | Boston Celtics take first step Thursday on road to success