Brad Stevens cleared the air Tuesday after the Boston Celtics’ reported failed attempt to trade Jaylen Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“Jaylen Brown is a big part of us,” Stevens said in his post-draft press conference. “I’m never going to predict the future, but every indication, everything I think about over the last few years has been building around those guys. Obviously, you never know. But at the same time, I think the one thing I want to make very clear is how valued he’s always been.”
I’m never going to predict the future… You never know…
Stevens did a lot of tip-toeing when talking about Brown, but those specific words made it clear a trade was still very much on the board this summer.
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And of course it is. This is the second time, at least, in the last four years the Celtics have tried to trade Brown. It’s hard to put that toothpaste back in the tube once, let alone multiple times, with a player who’s more accomplished now, as an NBA Finals MVP, than he was the first time he was used as trade bait.
Even if Boston wanted him back, it’s hard to imagine Brown would want the same.
HE SPEAKS:Brown breaks silence after Giannis trade
For as much as Stevens can claim the Celtics value Brown, those trade attempts have made it clear they don’t value him as much as the other of “those guys” they’ve built around, Jayson Tatum. Because it’s not like we’ve heard Tatum’s name come up in trade reports. And that’s fine. But at some point, Boston is going to have to pull the trigger.
From everything Stevens said Tuesday, it sounds like they may finally be ready to do it.
Shootaround
- The Lakers went completely overboard in their final Austin Reaves contract negotiations, though we understand why they made the deal.
- The Lakers would reportedly “kill for” this one Cavs star in a potential trade involving LeBron James.
- The Wizards set the table nicely for No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa to thrive right away.
- 7 winners and losers from the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
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This article originally appeared on For The Win: Jaylen Brown trade: Brad Stevens adds fire to Celtics speculation
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