While the news of Kevin Durant withdrawing his demand to be traded broke on Tuesday, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens already had a candid discussion with Jaylen Brown regarding trade chatter, as Christopher Price of the Boston Globe relays.
Speaking on radio station WEEI, Stevens said that he met with Brown — the most prominent player that any Durant suitor was reportedly willing to part with — in Los Angeles last week.
“Jaylen’s been through this from the standpoint of listening and the noise has been around him for a long time,” Stevens said. “I think one of the things you have to be able to do is ignore the noise and know what’s important. Also, [to] be able to reach out and have candid and transparent communications with the people involved. We’ve had those, and been very open from the get-go as all of this has been going on for any of our guys.”
Stevens indicated that the Celtics front office hasn’t been engaged in trade discussions for awhile, Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston tweets.
Stevens believes that the acquisition of point guard Malcolm Brogdon from Indiana has already upgraded the team’s chances for another deep playoff run.
“Since the Brogdon trade, we’ve felt really good about our team,” he said. “We felt really good about building around these guys that we’ve been building around, trying to accentuate our best players. We’re excited to move forward with our team, and that’s really been our focus for a while.”
Extension talks with Brown are also on the agenda. Stevens says he’d like to lock up Brown beyond his current contract, which runs through the 2023/24 season, Forsberg adds in another tweet.
“He is a huge core piece of what we’re doing and has been for six years now,” Stevens said. “We’re excited to hopefully put our best foot forward to have him here for a long time.”
The Celtics wing is eligible for a three-year extension this offseason. However, it’s probably in his best interests to wait until next offseason or until free agency to maximize his earnings and to try to qualify for a designated veteran extension.
Brown should leave the team if FA, There is no loyalty in this
NBA players seem to be a very loyal group. Durant, Harden and Simmons are prime examples.
Yes because teams have a track record of loyalty. Biggest clown take in the sport and it’s amazing how many of you share it. “The NBA is a business man, and I’m a businessman” – Pat Bev
Yeah, it’s not that simple. Teams have a responsibility to uphold which includes direction of the franchise and responsibility towards all of its members, fanbase, and players. Players are only concerned with their own situation and don’t bother with how it affects others, so as long as they get theirs. Teams are trying to be prudent with longevity in mind while players are trying to flip that prudence in to something negative in hopes to shroud their selfishness. There are always amicable solutions. But some people do to their massive egos go out of their way to not be amicable so they can point a finger and make a political statement. agenda agenda agenda.
I mean, I imagine Brown will go with whoever gives him the best offer?
You think?
C’s will have to offer the max. Otherwise, he’s out of there.
Right, so you think he will go with whoever gives him the best offer.
To be traded for Durant you can understand. You have to ask the other team what they want. Brown is who they wants. Brown is with Celtics he was considered untradeable. I bet 20 GM’s called the Nets and asked the same question. The Nets should have moved and traded for Ayton.
Yes, I’m sure Brown would have understood too. I recall Jarrett Allen saying when he was sent out in the James Harden trade: “I’d trade myself for him too.” As for Ayton, that wasn’t going to happen because they would’ve had to move Simmons separately.
I definitely agree with you. After going to the NBA Finals and was their best player in the Eastern Conference Finals and the Finals they try trading you for a guy with absolutely no leadership and a guy y’all swept in the first round smh.
Celtics should trade either Brown or Tatum. Brown wants to be his own man, unless Tatum is traded he is leaving the first chance he gets
Unless Boston gives him the best offer.
False they got a championship formula. Tatum only 24 years old and Brown only 25 years old that’s a tandem that can build together if they remain loyal to the young fellas. The Celtics just not built on loyalty.
Tatums only 19
Penny and Shaq had championship formula. How well that work?
Trading Brown or Tatum would be monumentally stupid and it won’t happen.
Brown has stated that he wants to stay with Boston long term and this “own man” rumor is made up.
I wish people would move on from this mindset.
What proof do you have that your statements are true?
I read this all the time…Brown wants out of Boston…but nobody can show me any actual evidence he really does.
Show me actual evidence he does.
There’s a bunch of evidence/articles that Brown wants to stay in Boston.
Here are two:
1) Jaylen Brown wants to remain in Boston in spite of trade talks > HoopsHype – Jul 26
2) I think he’s all-in on Boston – NBA exec’s take on Jaylen Brown’s commitment to Celtics amid Kevin Durant trade rumors – ClutchPoints > Aug 12
Haha, neither of those article are actual evidence where he actually says he wants to stay. One of them literally say “I THINK hes all in” haha what a joke. Nice try though.
Even if he did say it, just remember Kyrie said he wanted to stay, how did that turn out?
Troll.
Haha, I like how the term “troll” has become the new safe word for people that lose an argument of logic. Thanks for the win. Better luck next time.
Brad Stevens and the Celtics have to be very careful about how much they rely on Malcolm Brogdon. He gets nicked up and misses time so they must manage his minutes during the season I believe. He’s just one of those guys. They play hard, they go to the whole strong, they’re going to get nicked up and sit out games in bunches.
Rumors are started because pot-stirring sports experts need to anger & frustrate us sports lovers to make their livings. It’s pretty disgusting but that’s the way it is. Brad Stevens met with Jaylen Brown which needed to be done. Hopefully all is good. Go Celtics!
Loyalty goes both ways. And in today’s sports/business world, loyalty is not fixed, it’s very flexible. And also, there’s something special in homegrown loyalty. I would hope Jaylen Brown will show loyalty to the Celtics for all they’ve done for him so far. Go Celtics!