The Celtics find themselves in a challenging position now that Giannis Antetokounmpo is off the table.
Reports indicate that Boston proposed a deal involving Jaylen Brown and two first-round draft picks to the Bucks in exchange for Antetokounmpo. Bill Simmons, a noted Celtics supporter and founder of Ringer, suggests that rumors surrounding Brown’s potential trade are still alive and well.
“I don’t think this is the end for Brown,” Simmons mentioned, implying that Celtics owner might still be weighing the idea of trading Brown at season’s end. “I think it’s a 50/50 chance,” he added.
The Bucks eventually opted for a different deal with the Heat late Monday, securing three first-round picks and an array of young talent, including Miami locals Kelual Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr.
This brings up an essential question for the Celtics: If they decide to move Brown, where could he end up, and for what reason?
There are whispers that Anthony Edwards might seek a trade from the Timberwolves, but that’s still uncertain.
Finding a mutually beneficial agreement could prove challenging for Boston.
With Jayson Tatum sidelined for the early months of the season, Brown stepped up as the team’s primary scorer. He earned a spot on the All-NBA second team, helping keep the Celtics competitive in the Eastern Conference and achieving personal bests in points (28.7), rebounds (6.9), and assists (5.1).
“Jalen described last year as his favorite in the league, although he did backtrack a bit… I think a lot of that was about him finally getting recognized for his true potential,” Simmons observed.
“He’s shown that if he’s the top player, he can still lead a successful team. We’ll just have to see what more he aims to showcase.”
This offseason hasn’t been smooth for Brown. He recently engaged in a public back-and-forth regarding remarks made by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who suggested that Brown’s favorite season came in 2025-26, even after a disappointing playoff exit to the 76ers.
“It’s a peculiar situation,” Simmons reflected. “I wonder what Jalen’s plans are—will he do a six-hour Twitch stream on Tuesday? How will he spend the ensuing days?”
Many analysts have noted that Smith criticized Brown shortly after the Celtics were knocked out of the playoffs, despite being favored to win the Eastern Conference.
“First things first, he really needs to lay low. [Kendrick Perkins] If you don’t want to be traded, maybe take a break,” Smith advised.
Interestingly, reports suggest that Brown was indeed close to being traded, and he reaffirmed his stance on his previous comments.
“I stand by this. Clip it if you want. This was my favorite season ever,” declared Brown, who contributed to the Celtics’ championship run in 2024.
“I’ll say it louder if I need to. I’ll stand firm on this. I’ll triple down or quadruple down; whatever it takes,” he emphasized.
