Brad Stevens spent his post-draft media session trying to calm questions about Jaylen Brown after Boston's offer of Brown and two first-round picks failed to land Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Brown, 29, has spent all 10 NBA seasons in Boston and has not spoken publicly, but the report said he remains open to staying for now even as fresh trade speculation builds.
Stevens did not directly address whether Brown has issues with the team, saying he has a "decent pulse" on the building and hopes to have candid conversations with long-tenured figures.
The failed pursuit has left Boston facing an awkward choice: keep Brown alongside a healthy Jayson Tatum and pursue another title, or move him after signaling a willingness to trade him.
The episode also risks deepening leaguewide skepticism about the Celtics' front office, reviving comparisons to Boston's 2017 decision to trade Isaiah Thomas after his injury and playoff sacrifice.