The Boston Celtics were inches away from landing Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade that would have sent Jaylen Brown to the Milwaukee Bucks. But the aftermath of these negotiations is a reported fallout between the Celtics’ front office and the former Finals MVP.
According to ESPN’s senior NBA insider, Shams Charania, the Celtics are listening to offers for Brown, despite failing to land Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster trade.
“This is something the whole league is going to be paying very close attention to because, for the second time in four years, the Celtics offer Jaylen Brown. In 2022, they offered him for Kevin Durant. Now, four years later, they offer him after he’s won finals MVP, after he’s one of the finalists for the league MVP, they offer him for Giannis.”
“And I know there are going to be hard conversations ahead for both Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics. Like, there’s going to be fallout from this. There already is. Like, since last night, my understanding is the Celtics are listening to interested teams and offers for Jaylen Brown.”
“So, I wouldn’t say they’re actively shopping him right now, but the Celtics are listening to offers. Multiple interested teams have started to at least reach out and engage and have a level of dialogue with the Celtics.”
“And so, that doesn’t mean it’s going to result in a trade definitively, because Jaylen Brown’s got three years left on his deal at the supermax dollar amount. He’s extension eligible in July. Like, we’ll see where this goes.”
“But the fact that they’re at least listening, that lets you know that there is a decision to make one way or the other this offseason for the Celtics,” said Charania initially on the Pat McAfee show.
Subsequently, Charania also did a reporting segment during the 2026 NBA Draft coverage, where he further addressed the aftermath of what happens if Brown stays on the Celtics.
“Sources tell me that even after the failed trade of Giannis in the Celtics, the team has engaged in trade conversations and offers around Jaylen Brown even today. Teams that I have spoken to say there is a level of intention behind this with the Celtics, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a trade will happen.”
“Jaylen Brown has three years left on his extension at the supermax. He is extension-eligible this offseason for two years, $140 million+, so a decision on that is due if he is on the roster. Certainly, there are going to be some hard conversations and a level of fallout here with the Celtics and Jaylen Brown,” said Charania.
According to Jake Weinbach, a senior NBA writer, seven teams are expected to be interested in potentially landing Jaylen Brown on their roster this summer.
“The Hawks, Rockets, Blazers, Clippers, Spurs, Nuggets, and Pelicans should be viewed as potential suitors for the 2024 Finals MVP,” wrote Weinbach on X.
Following this, NBC’s Lead NBA writer, Kurt Helin, wrote about two teams that are expected to lead this race.
“If Brown becomes available, look for Houston and Atlanta to be at the front of the line for him, with a number of other teams — Portland has said it’s interested — in the mix.”
“The challenge will be matching his salary, which is $57.1 million next season and totals about $183 million over the next three years. Brown is coming off his best season as a pro, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game,” he wrote.
The Rockets are said to be willing to listen to offers for their All-Stars, Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun. With high-value draft assets like the Nets’ unprotected first-round pick for 2027, the Rockets could make some enticing combinations of offers to the Celtics if they are seriously interested in Brown.
The Hawks, on the other hand, do not have as many enticing assets to offer to the Celtics as they look to rebuild around Jalen Johnson. So if it comes down to these two teams, the Rockets may have an upper hand in the race, in my opinion.
