Celtics forward Jaylen Brown was “perplexed” by a recent report claiming he doesn’t intend to re-sign in Boston when his current contract expires in 2024, according to Jared Weiss of The Athletic, who hears from sources that Brown denied that report behind closed doors.
As Weiss observes, Brown is unlikely to sign a contract extension anytime soon, but that’s because his maximum earnings in an extension would fall far short of what he could earn if he reaches free agency and signs a new deal at that time.
Brown’s name has once again popped up in trade rumors this offseason, as it did in 2018 when San Antonio was shopping Kawhi Leonard and in 2019 when New Orleans was shopping Anthony Davis. However, despite those rumors, Brown wants to remain in Boston, Weiss writes.
Here’s more on the Celtics:
- Although Brown’s name came up in past trade rumors involving star players, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report says the Celtics never actually made the former No. 3 pick available when Leonard was on the block in 2018 and only internally discussed the possibility of offering Brown in 2019 after Davis requested a trade. The Celtics began to consider what they could get for Brown this January, following a 23-24 start, but didn’t seriously entertain the idea of moving him at the deadline, Fischer adds. In other words, the Kevin Durant talks represent the first time the club has seriously mulled moving Brown.
- Within the same Bleacher Report story, Fischer says the Celtics’ most serious discussions with the Nets about Durant happened at the start of July, noting that those talks were considered to be part of Brooklyn’s “first stage of continuing negotiations.” Most trade negotiations around the NBA “have come to a momentary lull” since Summer League ended, according to Fischer.
- Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, and Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe each broke down the rumors linking Durant to Boston, exploring whether it makes sense for the Celtics to make a strong push for the star forward and evaluating what they should be willing to give up. Washburn argues that the C’s should stand pat and hang onto Brown, while O’Connor says he’d probably be willing to give up both Brown and Marcus Smart in order to land Durant.
- Washburn, like Weiss, hears that Brown is “invested” in Boston and wants to be part of the Celtics’ future.
Durant is obviously enticing but…
Run it back. Only trades I would consider would be either White for a good big or Pritchard for a decent big since pg is stacked with the addition of Brogdon.
It didn’t show your comment when I posted. You said it right “RUN IT BACK”
What else would the Celtics have to offer for 4 years of Durant? Celtics looked really good this year, I wouldn’t waste all the assets to bring in Durant even if he is a top 5 player. Giving up your 2nd best player plus maybe your starting center plus more just seems like it would gut their roster too much. As a rockets fan I wish I they had the Celtics current roster
If they can get him for JB+White+Picks they should do that 100%.
They shouldn’t give other good rotation players wich they have (Grant W, Smart, etc.)
No! Durant, soon to be 34 and breaking down physically. Just say NO!
Agree. He doesn’t have Lebron’s body. Trading Brown or anyone for him would be ridiculous. Plus, they got better in the off season.
absolutely not. JB Should not be part of any trades going forward especially for a 34 year old player on the downside of his career who is already a flight risk
I love JB but he will never be the caliber of player that KD is even at 33 years old. KD will decline because of age and has injury concerns, i understand that and that’s why I wouldn’t trade for him if BOS need to include more than JB+White+picks. But if the Nets will take that package BOS should do it.
Heat have zero chance to beat this offer for Durant
Brown, Smart and a future First.
Heat are targeting Championships
Heat’s offer can’t compete at all, they really don’t have the assets, not players, not draft capital, to make a real run for KD.
Nor do the suns really
Brown is as good as gone.
Why would anyone think there’s a big chance JB won’t re-sign in Boston? Maybe because he hasn’t come out an said it until now and instead had been liking every post saying he doesn’t get enough credit or respect in Boston.
Because these situations were his name is always thrown in trade reports, that indicate he is no considered untouchable. He is really talented and maybe he will seek “being the man” on a team, im not sure he would want that but its kinda a common thing on the All-star level players. If that’s the case maybe he will search other options and he will become an unrestricted FA in two years. Because of this situation can be risky not to trade Brown now that his value is really high and they can get an All timer like KD.
the flip side of that is he’s already on a championship team that can pay him more than anyone else.
Yes, they can pay him more, but maybe he will look for “his team”. I think that idea is overrated but a lot of stars and media folks tend to think that way.
“He’s already on a championship team”? Did he join the Warriors? Jaylen Brown was 12 years old the last time the Celtics won a championship.
Championship caliber team…if you really want to split hairs but my point is still the same
As for wanting “his own team” not a single person has verified that.
I don’t see this as a move that improves Boston’s championship aspirations. Browns game has improved leaps and bounds and will continue to do so. Smart is the dog that leads the Boston defense whilst White was a key rotation player off the bench. Durant is 34. Massive contract, plagued by nagging injuries. No not the player I give up my future for if I’m celtics, in my opinion.
Absolutely NO!! Great off-season don’t screw it up now! Brown is a stud and will get even better! KD is long in the tooth and will start breaking down physically!
Durant is a major league whiner. He left OkC, left GSW and now wanted out of Brooklyn. There’s no loyalty there. Why fix when it’s not really broken. Now after two additions. Let’s go. Forget Durant.
Why destroy the core for him when he is at the end of his prime. I would not trade Smart, Brown,Tatum, Grant or Robert. The chemistry the Celtics have is championship level right now. Don’t mess up a great thing.
Hard pass on Durant. Cs have a championship core. Let JT/JB develop further. Plus there’s more growth to be had from RWIII, GW, MS and PP. Run it back!
BOS supposedly offered Brown, White and a 1st for KD, and if all it takes is a few more 1st’s (and/or another role player like G. Williams) to push that offer into the win column, they’d be nuts not to do it.
Running it back is the safe approach. Particularly if you’re not sure what’s real and/or permanent and what might be an aberration. Problem with that approach here is it would involve walking away from a very rare opportunity. Few players in NBA history can categorically raise the ceiling of a contender, and it’s unlikely that any of the others are going to be available to BOS anytime soon.
I think Stevens knows all this and will stay with it. If a package is eventually worked out, then he’ll have to decide if the current BOS team is a true contender now and for the next few years. If he determines they are, he’ll make the deal, and make them more than that, at least co-favorites.
Y’all acting like they are trading MJ. Brown isn’t even the best player on his team. You trade for KD and he is the best player on the team.
It’s a no brainer just figure out the rest of the details. Do you have to take back anyone else too, do you include white or smart how many draft picks etc.
Boston passed on Kawhi, he gets traded and wins a championship. Boston passed on AD, he gets traded and wins a championship. Boston passes on KD?
How many Top 5 players are you going to not pull the trigger on?
Like I’d trade Maxey in a heartbeat if that’s what they wanted.
Do the Raptors regret dealing DeMar? Lakers dealings everyone on the roster? No. They won.
You would trade Maxey? Wow, I mean that’s really saying something.
Definitely Maxey but there’s no way he’d throw in Shake Milton.
Agreed – let’s just leave aside the potential inclusion of Smart and the number of picks … Kevin Durant + Jayson Tatum almost by themselves makes Boston (or any team they’re on) the frontrunner for a ring next season.
It’s funny how Boston fans of all people seem to be forgetting that Jayson Tatum transformed into a top 10 player this season. And if KD played 10 more games we’d have been talking about him with Jokic Giannis and Embiid as an MVP frontrunner.
To pass on that possibility, even if for only a season or two, to run back a team that – let’s be real here – probably doesn’t make the conference finals this year if Khrys Middleton doesn’t sprain his ankle is peak Boston myopia.
Championship caliber team…if you really want to split hairs but my point is still the same
As for wanting “his own team” not a single person has verified that.
Bringing up Kawhi and AD is a terrible comparison Both were also significantly younger than KD at the time not to mention that they were due for contract extensions and not signed to massive deals that could end up being an anchor in 2-3 years. While both were coming off injury concerns its much different trading for a player who’s 27-29 vs 34
Right right – trading for stars who AREN’T under contract is actually PREFERABLE, of course.
Because that way they can leave for nothing after you give up assets for them, which is good.
since this point was lost on you I was simply saying those two players were much younger and due for raise. Fair to say KD is more likely to decline then those two.
And Celtics fans can play the if game too. IF Time lord didn’t get a bone bruise in the second round would they have finished off the Bucks in 5? IF Smart didn’t have an ankle sprain would they have knocked off the heat in 6? IF my grandmother had wheels would she be a bicycle? it’s silly, pointless and hypocritical on your part. KD didn’t play in 10 more games and has played something like 40% of the regular season games the past two years.
Sounds good, sorry to hear about your grandma.
One thing though: Please check your math:
2020-21 only consisted of 72 games: there have been a total of 154 games in the past two seasons; Durant has played in 90 of them
That’s 58% of games.
Remind how many games your other younger, “more sensible” examples have played the past two seasons?
No, that’s ok. I’ll do the math for you: Kawhi has played 52 and AD has played 76. So 33.7% and 49.3%, respectively.
I know math is tough, but you’ll get there one day with practice.
Ah ya got me! I meant last 3 years which if you do that math it’s around 40% of the games he’s played while under contract to the Nets but you’re allegedly good at math so you knew that.
No that’s cool man. I like to change the parameters of my statements after they’re proven false as well.
I like the current Celtic roster. I do think many people overrate Brown. Yes he is a good defender. Yes he can score. To be great, Brown needs to become a better ball handler if he is going to be able to put the ball on the floor and go to the hoop. He also needs to develop passing skills which he is very poor at. That said, I believe he can add those things to his game, and he has the work ethic to do it. Brown and Tatum should both be Celtics lifers.
Agreed on the ball handling. Brown is definitely not “great”. But he also doesn’t have a rep of forcing himself off teams, and at his floor is still an excellent basketball player.
Can’t blow this team up after all that happened last year.
If Brown makes a strong commitment to stay! No way I would trade him he has been the one mopping around about how he is not appropriated. He said he wanted out! Now he changes his mind! Brown, white and one pick! That’s it for Durant! I think that is to much!
Last time I appropriated a mop I got threatened with a misdemeanor.
So now Jaylen Brown says he’s “perplexed” by a rumor he won’t sign an extension with the Celtics. Probably doesn’t have anything to do with Celtics trade talks but you never know. Bottom line, another example of making a player unhappy, unnecessarily. Just saying Celtics fans love you Jaylen Brown.
Go Celtics!
Uh I think you need to re read what was written. He was perplexed by Wiggy saying he wanted out of Boston. Ther was zero talk about him turning down an extension
One the one hand I think Jaylen Brown is the best actual player that BK will be offered for Durant by far.
On the other hand, Jaylen Brown is 25 years old, has made (1) All Star team and has peak advanced stats of:
– 19.9 PER
– .586 TS%
– +2.5 BPM
He’s maybe a top 30 player in the League? Top 25?
Kevin Durant is consensus top 10 of ALL TIME. Of anyone to EVER play the game of basketball.
And with the exception of (4) games this past the playoffs, on a s**tshow ravaged BK roster, has looked as good as he’s ever looked.
This would be like if the 04 era Pistons could get Tim Duncan for Rasheed Wallace but Piston fans were like were like “Nah let’s run it back.”
KD is not a top ten player all time.
this is a terrible comparison. KD’s age and injury concern are major factors not to mention that he has shown himself to not be the easiest person to deal with and is a major flight risk(contract or not he has demanded a trade). Comparing him to Tim Duncan who was a consummate professional is incredibly insulting to Duncan.
Furthermore will he still perform as a top 10 player of all time let alone currently? people will point to his stats “when healthy” but that’s been a big question mark the last few years. Your best attribute is often your availability and that has been a major issue with KD.
These trades don’t happen in a vacuum so these issues need to be considered
No one’s comparing their personalities – it’s about giving up a good player for his era for an all-time great
Funny how a contingent of this board is presuming some immediate decline for Durant when he averaged 29.9 / 7.4 / 6.4 on 52/38/91 last season.
An all time great who is 34 and played 90 games the past 3 season. Funny how you seem to want to ignore the real and valid injury concerns to make your argument.
it’s not unreasonable to expect a decline especially based off of how he played after he came back form injury at the regular season and the playoffs.
Please see my above post where I did the math for you, and broke down the, also very real, injury histories of your “players who make more sense than KD”. No one’s ignoring the history, just putting it in its proper context.
Please see my post above too. You aren’t putting into proper context if you aren’t taking his age and injury history into account when making trades especially with previous comps you’ve been using. No one is disputing KD’s status as an all time great, just whether that high level of production will continue as he pushes 35-37. Also which player is he now? the one we saw at the beginning of last season or the one who down the stretch and in the playoffs? Another point about those “players” is that neither of them were over 30 at the time of their trade and since then have delivered championships. KD hasn’t.
We all agree Kevin Durant played 4 poor games this playoffs.
But you can look at his production last playoffs, and the past two seasons and see he’s been as good as he ever was. Which is the bigger sample size?
Durant could blow out his knee tomorrow, I agree. But his style of play tends to age well and there’s very little evidence he’s declining as of yet.
But you know what? I’m a Knicks fan, so I’m not super vested either way.
If you’d prefer Brown to Durant in Boston – that’s probably the most likely outcome anyway so you’re all good.
These rumors are clearly being driven by the Nets.
And, after reading the article a couple of times, my take is that the Celtics talked to the Nets early on but weren’t serious players. Now three weeks later, the Nets leaked the “offer” to push other teams for better offers. The rest of this is the beat writers pushing for clicks.
100% accurate
KD is probably best scorer of his generation. So I get why Celtics would do it. But to me I can’t help but look at it. As Celtics again disrespecting Jalen. If I was Jalen I’d go.
“The Celtics offered Brown, guard Derrick White and a draft pick to the Nets for Durant, sources said. The proposal was rejected, and Brooklyn has asked Boston — in any proposal — to include Brown, Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, draft picks and potentially one more rotation player, those sources added.”
If this is true ????
It’s not enough. White, Jalen, Pritchard, and two #1 picks. And I do it if I’m Nets. Jalen and Ben is solid to build around. Plus what they get for Kyrie. They can build a contender in two yrs. NY would go nuts over Jalen.
I hope President Brad Stevens factors in the good chemistry the Boston Celtics built under Coach Udoka last season with Jaylen Brown when he considers this possible trade for Kevin Durant. Go Celtics!