A handful of players have agreed to contract extensions since the new league year began on Saturday, but Celtics wing Jaylen Brown isn’t among them — yet.
Appearing on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Monday (YouTube video link), Brian Windhorst said the Celtics and Brown have mutual interest in getting something done and that he expects things to “head in that direction.” However, he also referred to the deal as “fragile.” Asked to clarify what he meant by that, Windhorst explained that Brown having qualified for a super-max extension doesn’t mean no negotiations will be required.
“I think it’ll get done, but he’s eligible for up to 35% of the salary cap, but he doesn’t have to get that,” Windhorst said. “The Celtics could negotiate on that. They could negotiate on a player option. They could negotiate on several things. So it’s not as simple as saying, ‘Jaylen, here’s your contract, sign it or not.'”
While most players who have signed designated veteran (super-max) contracts have received a full 35% starting salary, Rudy Gobert is one notable exception. When he signed his super-max extension with Utah, it began at 31.4% of the cap.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- Rival executives have no expectation that the drama in Philadelphia related to James Harden‘s trade request will prompt Sixers center Joel Embiid to seek a change of scenery himself, writes Sean Deveney of Heavy.com. “No, just no way,” one general manager replied when asked about the possibility. “He is a different kind of character. He is a lot more like (Damian) Lillard and (Bradley) Beal because he wants to be loyal to the team, he wants to stay there, he has a lot of appreciation for how he has been treated there.” Of course, Lillard and Beal eventually did request trades, so – as the GM notes – if the 76ers haven’t moved any closer to title contention two or three years from now, it could be a different story.
- While the Knicks got better by adding a shot-maker and creator in Donte DiVincenzo, their rotation took a hit with the trade of Obi Toppin, who was the power forward on the second unit, writes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. It remains to be seen what the plans are for that spot, according to Braziller, who notes that New York’s excess backcourt depth could set the team up for a roster-balancing trade.
- Barring a trade that shakes up the roster, the Raptors aren’t in position to make another significant move this offseason. So in order for the team to take any sort of step forward after losing Fred VanVleet, Toronto may need the hiring of head coach Darko Rajakovic to be its most impactful move of the offseason, Doug Smith of The Toronto Star suggests.
Feels like they sold low on Obi.
The upside has always been there, but he was never in a good situation with the Knicks. I’ll always wonder what might have been if they picked Haliburton like everyone knew they should. His play has only made that move more puzzling over time.
Everyone was saying he was going to the Spurs, but they passed and took Devin Vassell.
He’ll become a star with the Pacers.
Nah.
If they don’t make a move I could see Jericho Sims playing some 4
Hot not so hot take, Brown isn’t worth 35% of the cap
Maybe on a computer screen for a start up franchise w cap in 2k it’s a fun dive but it will be interesting to see if Bos can wiggle that number down ( as they should try at least )
They Just did a good job w Kp ext but little parallels probably exist for JB .
It could potentially get ugly ( both sides leveraging media v each other ) , hopefullly not
He definitely isn’t. But most players aren’t worth that. Almost all max contracts turn out awful. Brown isn’t even in that echelon of overrated superstars so that would be a disaster.
If he won’t take a fairer deal then just trade him.
He faded in the Miami Heat series. He’s good, but not worth almost $300M over 5 years.
NYK did sell low on Obi. There was no particular reason to jump at an offer of two SRPs, for a guy who’s in the rotation. But they like Obi, and they did get to trade him into cap space, comfortably freeing up the full MLE and BAE while there are FAs out there.
Brown is a better version of Kris Middleton.
A really good sidekick but not good enough to be a number 1 guy.
So talking numbers now and comparisons.
Kris is older and therefore got a shorter deal and also gave the bucks a bit of a discount but he recently signed for 3 years 102. Before that he signed a 5 year 178 deal which basically what Jerami Grant just signed.
Butler recently signed a vet max extension which was 3 years 146 which was better than that of Kyrie and FVV in FA both about 3 years 128.
That said Brown is better than Middleton, Grant and FVV. He’s also young and will probably want more years.
Now the super max available to him is 295 over 5 years. I’d say 4 years 200 would be a good middle ground although to me that still sounds incredibly expensive.
OK. I imgaine you’re replying to the prior post. FWIW, I disagree, at least prime to prime. I don’t think Brown (right now) is anywhere near as good as Middleton (in his prime), as the latter has a superior handle and shot. But Middleton is physically compromised until proven otherwise.
It’s really tough, I’d say Brown is a better scorer and better on ball defender but Middleton is more efficient and is better defensively off ball. Middleton also has a ring to his name.
However both respective teams have had that “they struggle to scorer when their best player is out the game” line attached to them. Which puts a dent on both of them having a handle and being a go to option.
Brown id say isn’t in his prime and hence why you’d pay more, Middleton is last his prime now.
Im going to miss obi,we have players on the team that can fill those 10-15 mins plus they probably will add isaiah roby to the roster.
Obi1 was a steal for Pacers. Happy for him. He gets to play now. And has a good PG to grow with. Haliburton will look for Obi1.
Knicks basically got 2 picks (2nd rd) and Donte for Obi. So it’s a good deal. For a guy who won’t play much. But now it’s time to go get that real shot maker ……..
DeM DeR >>>>> to Knicks
Quickley, Grimes, Fournier,
#1 pick >> to Bulls
This is the move. Knicks are ready for next step. Let’s do this ……
don’t think they had to move Obi to fit Donte…they should have waited to pull that trigger…I wouldn’t look at it as one big deal, unless it makes you feel better to do that…
Couldn’t sign him unless we moved money. Two second rd picks were best you can get. It is that way. Same we traded KP we opened up cap to sign Randle. And we moved Noel, Burkes, Walker. Gave up picks too. To be able to sign Brunson. It’s why you move money. Thibs was never going to play Toppin. So you do it how it works for you.
They could have signed DiV with Toppin on the roster, but they’d be about 3 mm over the tax line right now. They’d have to do something before the season to get under, which would be doable if they’re willing to release Roby and Jeffries before the season, but they’d be fighting the line all year. Without Toppin they can add another player by FA signing or trade (BAE and TPE available).
Yeah , they also got 6.5 mill TPE. So in all . They didn’t just give him away. I like Donte. But also like Grimes. Toppin wasn’t playing. Get a PF who can play 15-20 mins.
I’m still waiting on DeR …. I got faith
I like Derozan a lot for Knicks but why Grimes/Quickly and not RJ. If not DeRozan then let’s get Jerami Grant from Portland for RJ and whatever else it takes. He would be a better fit as a SF with size and shoots 40% from 3. Can play some minutes at PF too. Knicks have been undersized at SF for too long
RJ has the most potential. Plus he’s a natural 3. DeR makes everyone better. The real question is will Randle buy in. I rather have Obi. But as we see it would never happen. DeR is the guy all Knicks will respect. He plays both ways and is clutch. We do t need Quickley with Hart, Donte. Jalen gettin all the mins. Plus McBride is ready to step in. Bulls need a PG no Ball this yr. It’s good for Bulls too. DeR is 33. Gives 2-3 gd yrs.
Hey AL I like Demar Derozen as well but to say RJ has more upside then Quikley and Grimes when both these kids are way better shooters and defenders than RJ. Your so quick to trade IQ who arguably was the Knicks third best player all year and was the runner up for six man of the year. RJ still can’t shoot and even though he did have a good playoff run he is widely inconsistent. This team needs shooting and as much as love Hart him and RJ are not pure shooters. So pump the brakes on Keeping RJ over IQ who was one of the best defenders on the team. And Obi Toppin was a rotational peace but let’s also pump the brakes on him becoming the next Shawn Marion or Shawn Kemp. Obi is a horrible defender and the Indy coach is a old school coach like Thibs who preaches defense so Rick Carlisle will lose hair when Obi blows multiple defensive assignments trust me. But I do wish Obi the best and I’m passed Leon Asleep at the Wheel hoarding draft picks Rose gave him away for nothing.
Embiid should make his move now…
His injury history should make him more desperate to get into a good situation before it’s too late and he has to ring chase as a role player…
No contender has the package to trade for Embiid, if he is healthy he is an automatic ticket to the second round of the playoffs by himself, name the 5 other players that could claim that.
Embiid will give it give it this year. MVP dkn’t change teams. Hopefully they will get something for Harden. Maybe he will change his mind like Durant.
Don’t be surprised when the Celtics legit try to move Brown. They will not super max him and Jason.
They do not have to make a decision before the season starts or even all season.