The NBA offseason has ramped up in a big way this week, highlighted by the blockbuster trade that sent superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat.
According to a number of insiders, the Boston Celtics were the other top team that the Milwaukee Bucks were having trade discussions with involving the 10-time All-Star.
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Boston reportedly offered star guard Jaylen Brown in trade packages, but the Bucks ultimately chose Miami’s offer. That sets up the potential for an awkward year for the Celtics, who may now have to make amends with their second-best player.
As Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens spoke to reporters after the first round of the NBA draft on Tuesday, he addressed Brown’s relationship with the team.
“Jaylen Brown is a big part of us,” Stevens said. “I’m never going to predict the future. Every indication, everything I think about, over the last few years, has been building around those guys. You never know. But at the same time, the one thing I want to make very clear is how valued he’s always been. He’s been amazing. He’s been an amazing teammate and a great person to be around.”
It’s important to note that Stevens’ comments came in response to a question about whether or not Brown would be a part of the team next season. He did not give a clear yes or no answer.
The 29-year-old is coming off the best season of his career as Jayson Tatum missed most of the campaign recovering from a torn Achilles.
In what was expected to be a down year for the Celtics became another top-five Eastern Conference finish behind Brown’s 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
His breakout season helped him finish sixth in voting for the MVP award, although the Celtics fell to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the postseason.
Brown currently has three years left on a five-year, $285.4 million extension he signed back in 2023. While it’s unclear if he’ll be traded away this summer or if he’ll remain in Boston, Stevens said he’s continuing “proactive” discussions with Brown and his agent.
“We certainly wanted to be as proactive and up-front with that as possible,” he said. “I thought we had really good, candid conversations. … I don’t love the fact any time it’s a big, public thing. We try to keep things as close to the vest and as quiet as possible.”
“The rumor mill is the rumor mill, and there’s going to be a lot of noise out there.”
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
