After having recently made some noncommittal remarks about his future in Boston, Celtics forward Jaylen Brown told reporters that he’s “thinking about clarifying some of the things that have been recently said,” according to Jay King of The Athletic. Asked what he wanted to clarify, however, Brown opted not to explain further.
“Right now the only thing I want to clarify is that the Celtics need to play better and win more games,” Brown said. “If I want to say something in the future about the kind of things that have been floating around I will. But in terms of right now, I like when people hear things from the horse’s mouth and you can see my reaction, my face and everything how I feel about what I’m saying. Sometimes those things can get lost in translation, you know? So if I feel the need to do so I will.”
Brown would be eligible to sign a contract extension anytime during the 2023/24 league year, starting in July. However, because he’s earning well below his maximum salary and would be limited to a 20% raise in the first year of a veteran extension, the Celtics wouldn’t be able to offer him a maximum-salary deal until free agency.
That would change if Brown earns a spot on an All-NBA team this spring, in which case he’d become eligible for a super-max contract extension (worth 35% of the 2024/25 cap) entering the final year of his current deal.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- Celtics guard Payton Pritchard returned to action on Tuesday following a nine-game absence due to a left heel injury. According to Jared Weiss of The Athletic (Twitter link), Pritchard said he had plantar fasciitis and a bone bruise in the heel.
- In an interview with Shams Charania of The Athletic, Sixers center Joel Embiid discussed his health, the MVP race, and why he won’t necessarily take a “title-or-bust” mentality into this year’s postseason. “People have been talking about who has the most pressure to win. People want to mention me,” Embiid said. “I’m not at the top of that list. I’m not a two-time MVP, I’ve never made first team All-NBA, I’ve never won anything. So why is there pressure on me to do something when there are guys that have won two MVPs, a bunch of MVPs and haven’t done anything either?”
- Speaking to Ian Begley of SNY.tv and Andrew Crane and Brian Lewis of The New York Post, Ben Simmons‘ new agent Bernie Lee said that Simmons’ back issues are part of the recovery process from the microdiscectomy he underwent last May, adding that the Nets guard/forward won’t require additional surgery and is on track to be ready for training camp in the fall. “Ben is a 26 year-old-guy who is just starting his career and clearly there have been some challenges recently,” Lee told Begley. “But like every truly great person I’ve observed, Ben is motivated internally to continue to develop himself and his talent and test his ability and, most importantly, compete. He simply needs to gain the opportunity to be healthy which we believe we’ve found.”
I can’t believe Bum Simmons’ agent was able to say that with a straight face.
Embiid…are you kidding me? He thinks there shouldn’t be pressure because he hasn’t won anything? That is exactly why there is pressure! Jokic, Nuggets also under pressure.
If I were a sixers fan that quote would scare me. Not a competitive mindset.
Not competitive, recall a playoff series, broke face no thumb ? Get off it.
The quote says he won’t take a title or bust mentality because people shouldn’t have expectations because he hasn’t been crowned an MVP yet. So what, you can only compete for a title if you’ve won MVP? That makes no sense to me, sorry. Maybe you can explain instead of getting defensive?
The irony about getting defensive here is immaculate
The real irony is your name is “washing ton” but it seems like you don’t wash at all because all your comments STINK! Meanwhile lil dunker is competing for top commenter (not commentator, sweetheart) again.
Lil dunker dunks again. Swish…
Sick Burn.
Something is very wrong if surgery is not in the conversation with Simmons. If he is going to be a part time player due to health reasons long-term, why not say it then instead of this rest & rehab nonsense that has not worked. If the goal is for Ben to play 82 + the playoffs.
Poor, poor Ben. He just needs some more recuperation time before he hurts himself in some other body part.
Did he fire his previous agent or did the agent resign in shame??
I had plantar fasciitis & it took months to heal.
In last night’s terrible loss the Wizards scored 29 pts in the 1st quarter. The previous 3 opponents each scored 32 pts against us in the 1st quartr. It’s well known if you let an NBA opponent team or player get hot you’re in BIG trouble. My suggestion is starting off our Celtics in their best defensive mode! Not small ball. We can go to small ball offense after we take control of the game … on DEFENSE! Go Celtics!
…they won the last 3 games so your conclusion makes no sense lol. They did better defensively in q1 last night and lost. Seems like opposite, going small, scoring more points, makes more sense.
In any case the real fix is team leadership, whether that’s smart, the Jay’s, Joe getting people up for these games. Don’t overlook Wash because 2 of their “stars” are out. They were embarrassed and ripped off 3 straight last week. I know it’s a long season, but how badly do you want the one seed? Not badly enough right now.
Better defensively? Giving up 29 instead of 32 points? Ha, ha. But I think you’re right about what we’re going to see in the Playoffs. We’re going to come out firing, not worrying about D. Maybe Coach is just holding Timelord back to surprise opponents in the Playoffs, but I think he’s an offense first coach and that’s what we’ll see. Timelord off the bench. Or when nothing else works. My hope is that in a 7-game series we won’t have too many games where we can’t make a three and not be competitive like last night. Go Celtics!
I got an Atlantic note ….
Knicks 43-23 beat the Heat tonight. And that 5th seed is ours. Swallow softly espn and of course the haters, geniuses.
Cavs here we come. Let’s do this.
Make a Note of that !!!!
Make that 44-33 ….. Ooh Yeaaah