Latest Jaylen Brown Trade Rumors with Celtics 'Actively Engaged' in Talks After Failed Giannis Deal
The Boston Celtics were unable to trade Jaylen Brown to the Milwaukee Bucks in return for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but they're reportedly still open to trading their former Finals MVP.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Celtics are "actively engaged in trade talks surrounding Jaylen Brown, with multiple interested teams."
The Celtics offered the Bucks a deal that included Brown and two first-round picks in return for Antetokounmpo, perย Charania, but Milwaukee ultimately went with a package from the Miami Heat that included multiple players and picks.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens addressed Brown's future after the first round of the NBA draft on Tuesday.
"Jaylen Brown is a big part of us," Stevensย told reporters. "I don't want to predict the future. I look at it as this is our team."
Brown's trade value has likely never been higher. He proved last season that he can be the No. 1 option on a playoff team, putting together an MVP-caliber year as he averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
As far as what Boston is hoping to get in return for Brown, they're reportedly interested in a big man, specifically Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix.
"Boston continued to discuss Brown trades on Tuesday, two sources familiar with the talks tellย Sports Illustrated," Mannix reported. "Many of the conversations were initiated by rival teams, sources say. Some were brokered by the Celtics. 'They are hunting a big man,' says a rival executive. 'And they are willing to trade [Brown] to get it.'"
A player like Mobley wouldn't be able to match Brown's offense, but he could give the Celtics a significant boost on the defensive side.
Whether the Cavs would be willing to part with the former Defensive Player of the Year remains to be seen. Brown would be a major addition, but a trio of him, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden could make things a bit crowded.
Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks reportedly had interest in Brown before the Antetokounmpo trade, so they could be teams to watch as well.
