Brad Stevens Backs Jaylen Brown on $285.4 Million Deal as Celtics Face Trade Rumors
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 24
Brad Stevens Backs Jaylen Brown on $285.4 Million Deal as Celtics Face Trade Rumors
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 24
Summary
Brad Stevens said Jaylen Brown remains a "big part" of Boston and "valued" by the Celtics after reports the team explored moving him in a blockbuster deal.
ESPN reported Boston offered Brown and two first-round picks to Milwaukee for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Bucks instead agreed to send the two-time MVP to Miami.
Stevens said he held multiple one-on-one offseason meetings with Brown and stayed in contact with his agent, trying to be proactive as Brown's name circulated in trade chatter.
Brown, 29, is coming off a career year of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists, though Boston exited in the first round after winning the 2024 title.
His future is still unsettled: Brown has three years left on his five-year, $285.4 million extension and can sign a two-year, $141.9 million add-on starting July 26.