Jaylen Brown's Message to Celtics After Failed Bucks Trade Revealed in New NBA Rumors

Philadelphia 76ers wing Jaylen Brown was willing to stay with the Boston Celtics even after they attempted to trade him to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to ESPN's Kris Rhim.

"Antetokounmpo got traded to the Miami Heat on June 22, and Brown was left wondering about his future in Bostonm" Rhim wrote. "He let the Celtics know that despite the failed trade he was willing to remain in Boston, but the team informed him he would be dealt anyway, the source told ESPN."

That report dropped Tuesday, the same day that Brown will face his former team for the first time this season. Brown played 10 years in Boston, making five All-Star teams and two All-NBA teams while winning two Eastern Conference titles and a championship.

After the Bucks trade didn't work out, the Celtics soon dealt Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George, two first-round draft picks and a pair of second-rounders.

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens told reporters that the team essentially traded Brown due to concerns about how to best compete under the constraints of the current salary cap rules.

"The path looked a little bit more challenging to me," Stevens said. "I might be wrong. I'm not going to stand up there and be defensive about that. But the path looked a little bit more challenging with 70% of our (salary) cap, and such a high percent of our usage tied into two players."

Brown and Jayson Tatum were the two players in question. In the end, the Celtics dealt Brown to Philadelphia.

Brown is enjoying a great start with the 8-2 76ers, who lead the Eastern Conference. He's averaging 22.3 points on 47.7 percent shooting, 6.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.