Celtics Still Shopping Jaylen Brown in Trade Talks, Shams Reports on Draft Night

Jaylen Brown’s name keeps coming up in trade conversations and that apparently includes the hours leading up to the NBA Draft. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday that the Boston Celtics have continued to engage teams on Brown, even after their failed pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier this offseason.

Charania dropped the update on ESPN’s draft coverage, saying the Celtics have fielded offers and listened to proposals centered on their star wing. The timing matters. Boston had Brown on the table as the centerpiece of a deal that would have sent Antetokounmpo to Boston, but the Bucks ultimately shipped the two-time MVP to the Miami Heat instead.

Now the question is whether the Celtics are genuinely trying to move Brown or just doing due diligence. Charania noted that rival teams sense real intention from Boston’s front office, but he also stopped short of saying a trade is inevitable. “Teams I’ve spoken to feel like there is a level of intention behind this with the Celtics, but that doesn’t mean a trade will necessarily happen,” he said.

Brown’s situation has been simmering since the end of Boston’s season. He made comments that fueled speculation about his long-term fit with the franchise. Add in the reported Antetokounmpo trade talks and the draft looming and you have a recipe for nonstop rumors. Tuesday’s report just confirms what a lot of people already suspected: the Celtics are willing to listen.

Brown is a two-time All-Star and averaged 23 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season. He’s on a five-year, $304 million contract that kicks in next year, which is a massive number but also a reflection of his value. Trading him would reshape the Celtics core around Jayson Tatum, who has been the more consistent star in Boston’s system.

The Celtics haven’t confirmed anything publicly. Teams rarely do while trade talks are active. But the fact that Charania is hearing this on draft day suggests conversations are real and ongoing. If Boston finds the right deal, Brown could be wearing a different jersey by the time the draft ends.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.