The Celtics and Hawks had a “brief conversation” last offseason about Jaylen Brown, according to Chris Mannix of NBC Sports (video link), who expects them to revisit the idea of a trade this summer (hat tip to BasketNews).
Mannix adds that initial talks between the teams were only exploratory because Atlanta was “leery” about taking on Brown’s $53.1MM salary and wasn’t “really in a position to go all in” with a developing roster. He states that Boston wasn’t “looking to give Jaylen Brown away” so there wasn’t much common ground to work out a deal.
Brown wound up posting the best statistical season of his career as the team’s primary scoring threat while Jayson Tatum was recovering from an Achilles tear. However, the season ended in disappointment with a first-round playoff loss to Philadelphia, so Mannix believes the Celtics could consider moving on from Brown’s pricey deal, which still has three years remaining at more than $183MM.
A late-season surge propelled the Hawks to the No. 6 seed, so they could be more open to taking on salary this offseason in hopes of becoming a serious contender in 2026/27.
In addition to the Hawks, Mannix states that several other clubs could make a run at Brown if he becomes available. He mentions the Heat, Rockets and Warriors as teams that are expected to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo and suggests they could turn their attention to Brown if they fail to land the Bucks star.
As Mannix notes, it has been a tumultuous week for Brown since the Celtics were eliminated last Saturday. He blasted series officials on his Twitch stream, claiming they had “an agenda” against him that resulted in an unusually high number of offensive fouls, and singled out Sixers star Joel Embiid for flopping. His remarks on the referees resulted in a $50K fine from the league.
There was also a backlash from Boston fans after Brown called this his “favorite season” even with the early playoff exit. NBC’s Tracy McGrady, who has served as Brown’s mentor, claimed that he has “frustration” with the Celtics behind the scenes, leading president of basketball operations Brad Stevens to tell reporters at his end-of-season press conference on Wednesday that Brown hasn’t expressed any unhappiness to him.
Brown tried to diffuse the situation later in the week by reaffirming his commitment to the organization and stating that he would like to finish his career in Boston. He also denied any friction with Stevens, saying they have a “great relationship.”
While Brown is an all-NBA talent and won’t turn 30 until October, his contract could make some teams think twice about making a deal. He’ll earn $57MM next season, $61MM in 2027/28 and nearly $65MM in 2028/29 before becoming a free agent that summer.
The Hawks have nothing Boston wants.
False but the Hawks aren’t actually interested in Jaylen Brown
Jalen Johnson is someone every team wants.
Celtics do not want to replace brown with Johnson.
Why wouldn’t they? The Hawks certainly wouldn’t, but why not the Celtics?
Because Brown is a top 5 2-way player, a finals MVP, MVP contender, Champion, and a top 10 in Celtics history scorer.
They’ll trade him when he’s 35 and cooked just like Paul Pierce.
Who in their right minds would trade Jalen Johnson for Jaylen Brown? Johnson is worth A LOT more
It would take Johnson and lots draft capital to get it done. 4 firsts 3 swaps.
No way, JJ is worth more than Jaylen Brown
Umm, picks, naw Dyson, JJ, Ok
Boston would still want to be in win now mode. If a team in interested in Giannis or Brown they would need 2 different packages. Bucks would be a rebuild team looking for picks and young talent. Boston would want a proven guy back.
Rockets maybe with Amen is the only one that fits in either trade.
Just gonna paste this here, from a story on this app literally yesterday:
“The Hawks have been linked to Antetokounmpo in the past, but they seem unlikely to pursue him — or any other superstar — in the near future. Team sources tell The Athletic that Atlanta intends to be “very patient” with its young core, which features Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Fischer previously reported the Hawks planned to take a measured approach to the offseason, and GM Onsi Saleh seemed to confirm as much at his end-of-season press conference, Amick and Nehm note.”
Sometimes reading these rumors feels like what’s the point? It feels like it’s just reporters with unsubstantiated opinions unless it comes from somebody like Windhorst.
As a Hawks fan, it is annoying to see most people just assume we are interested in any star possibly available. We are not one player away from contending. Still have multiple years before that and are patient with everyone’s development. We learned the hard way from the Dejounte Murray trade
Besides Jalen Johnson and a potential top 4 pick today what would the Celtics want that helps them win now from the hawks?
NAW? Okongwu? Kuminga who still rides the bench? Risacher who is fighting for minutes?
What about a 3-way deal?
Jaylen Brown to the Hawks
Giannis to the Celtics
JK, Risacher, Garza, Hield and Kispert and 4 1sts to the Bucks
Wow what a terrible trade for the Bucks
Why would Bostion trade Brown? That makes no sense unless they are going to get multiple stars and draft picks for him.
Too duplicative of Tatum. They need size and physicality. Playoffs are now rugby scrums, and subtle offenses that work toward 3 pters and back cuts can be throttled by a number of different teams in both conferences.
that would leave out the hawks. if they are going to trade brown then Giannis is the man they would want for size.
Duplicative of Tatum? They’re not even close to the same type of player.
He is not worth all that
TBH, a Giannis for Jaylen framework deal would make a ton of sense for both sides .
I do hope my Heat end up with one but if I’m a betting man I’d say Giannis ends up in Golden state & Brown in Atlanta or the Clippers in some sort of Kawhi swap.
Jaylen is too old for Bucks. They want picks.
Not from what I read… they wanna remain competitive
Will go on record now before this draft lottery selection, that it would incredibly foolish for Hawks to trade a Top 4 pick for Brown, should they get blessed with that luck today.
Other off season, another endless stream of Jaylen brown rumors. Next up, miles turner rumors, followed by KAT rumors.
Zero chance that any team can ever win with jaylen as a #1 option. Dude is a stat padder who is not a winning player unless he has another top 10 nba player alongside him.
You’re talking about Johnson right? Because Brown is not a stat padder.
What was disappointing about BOS season?
I think for them it was a sensational result to be out in the first round of the playoffs, right?