Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens isn't ready to lock in Jaylen Brown's future with the team. When asked Tuesday night whether the All-Star swingman would be on the roster next season, Stevens gave a carefully worded non-answer that kept the rumor mill churning.
“I’m never going to predict the future,” Stevens said, via Boston Celtics on SI. “Every indication, everything that I think about over the past few years has been building around those guys, right? Obviously, you never know.”
The comments come hot on the heels of a bombshell report from ESPN’s Shams Charania that Boston dangled Brown and two first-round picks in an attempt to pry Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. Though that deal fizzled, the mere fact that Brown was on the table signals the front office is open to shaking things up.
Stevens tried to walk a fine line, praising Brown’s character and performance while leaving the door cracked for a potential move. “He’s been amazing. He’s been an amazing teammate. Great person to be around. Whether that run ends 10 years from now when he retires or before, there’s a lot to celebrate,” he said.
That ambiguity has fueled speculation that Boston could shop Brown this offseason, especially after his career-best campaign of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. His value has never been higher, and the Celtics might see an opportunity to retool around Jayson Tatum.
According to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets are among the teams ready to pounce if Brown becomes available. “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,” Helin wrote.
The biggest hurdle? Brown’s massive contract: $57.1 million next season and roughly $183 million over the next three years. That salary cap footprint will require creative matching, but for a player entering his prime, the price tag might be worth it.
Brown, for his part, has publicly criticized ESPN and its coverage, suggesting he’s not afraid to speak his mind. Whether that tension plays into trade talks remains unclear, but Stevens emphasized their relationship remains open and honest. “We have a great relationship and an open relationship where we talk about everything. But I don’t want to predict the future. I look at it as this is our team,” he said.
For now, the Celtics are holding their cards close. But with Stevens refusing to offer any guarantees, the possibility of a Brown blockbuster looms large over Boston’s offseason.
