Celtics forward Jaylen Brown was “perplexed” by a recent report claiming he has no intention of re-signing with Boston when his current contract expires in 2024, according to The Athletic’s Jared Weiss, who is hearing from sources that Brown denied this report behind. closed doors
As Weiss notes, Brown is unlikely to sign a contract extension anytime soon, but that’s because his maximum salary in an extension would be far below what he could earn if he hits free agency and signs a new deal in that moment
Brown’s name has come up in trade rumors again this offseason, as it did in 2018 when San Antonio was shopping Kawhi Leonard and in 2019 when New Orleans was shopping Anthony Davis. However, despite these rumors, Brown wants to remain in Boston, Weiss writes.
Here’s more on the Celtics:
- While Brown’s name has come up in past star player trade rumors, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer says the Celtics never made the former No. 3 available when Leonard was on the block in 2018 and only discussed it internally the possibility of offering Brown in 2019. after Davis asked for a trade. The Celtics began thinking about what they could get for Brown this January after a 23-24 start, but didn’t seriously consider moving him at the deadline, Fischer adds. In other words, the Kevin Durant talks represent the first time the club has seriously considered moving Brown.
- In the same Bleacher Report story, Fischer says the Celtics’ most serious discussions with the Nets about Durant took place in early July, noting those talks were considered part of the “first stage of ongoing negotiations” from brooklyn Most trade negotiations around the NBA “have come to a momentary lull” since Summer League ended, according to Fischer.
- NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor and The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn each broke down the rumors linking Durant to Boston, exploring whether it makes sense for the Celtics to make a strong push for the star forward and assessing what they should be willing to give up. Washburn argues the C’s should hold on to Brown, while O’Connor says he’d probably be willing to give up both Brown and Marcus Smart to land Durant.
- Washburn, like Weiss, hears Brown is “invested” in Boston and wants to be a part of the Celtics’ future.