Trade speculation mounts for Celtics star Jaylen Brown
Analyst Brian Windhorst said several NBA teams are preparing offers for Jaylen Brown as Boston explores trade options, though his large contract could limit interest.
NBA analyst Brian Windhorst told ESPN's "Get Up" program that a "bidding war" for Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown is likely, with multiple clubs reportedly ready to submit proposals. He said teams have been planning for the scenario in which the Celtics do not acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo and instead consider moving Brown.
Windhorst noted that Boston made a strong offer for Antetokounmpo but was hesitant to include Brown and other young assets, echoing earlier reports. He added that league officials are aware of the risk in publicly discussing Brown's potential inclusion in a trade.
Brown, a five-time All-Star, posted career-high averages of 28.7 points per game and earned second-team All-NBA honors while helping the Celtics secure the Eastern Conference's second seed despite missing Jayson Tatum for much of the season. Potential suitors mentioned in recent weeks include the Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets, with the latter reportedly considering a large-scale roster move.
The primary obstacle to a deal is Brown's contract, which is projected to total about $183 million over the next three seasons, with a possible two-year extension worth roughly $142 million on the horizon.
The situation follows a previous trade rumor in which Brown was linked to a move to Brooklyn in a failed attempt to acquire Kevin Durant. After that deal fell through, Brown indicated he had moved past any hard feelings and later helped Boston win the 2024 championship. Whether he will be open to another trade discussion remains uncertain as the Celtics evaluate their roster composition with both Brown and Tatum healthy.
