Celtics Wanted Naz Reid in Jaylen Brown Talks Before and After the LaMelo Ball Trade

The Boston Celtics have spent this offseason trying to figure out how to balance their roster, and that has meant a lot of conversations about Jaylen Brown. Reports have made it clear the team’s relationship with Brown is not what it used to be, and the front office has been aggressive about checking what the market might offer.

One name that keeps popping up? Naz Reid. The big man was a key target for Boston before Charlotte traded for him, and according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Celtics brought his name back up after the Hornets landed him.

Reid is a rare kind of big in today’s league. He can shoot from three, push the ball in transition himself, and play solid defense. He’s been valuable for Minnesota over the last few seasons and became the central return piece when the Timberwolves dealt LaMelo Ball to Charlotte. That combination of skills makes him an obvious fit for a Celtics team that has struggled to find reliable frontcourt depth.

Boston tried to fix that issue last year by trading for Nikola Vucevic. That move didn’t work out the way they hoped. Reid profiles differently, younger and more versatile, which is exactly why he kept coming up in talks.

The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski first noted that Boston wanted Reid in Brown trade discussions with Minnesota. After Reid got shipped to the Hornets, the Celtics circled back. Charlotte has not shown any interest in moving him since the deal, though. The Hornets seem happy to keep Reid as part of their young core alongside players like Miles Bridges and Mark Williams.

So Boston is left to keep working the phones. Brown is still a high-level two-way player, but his contract and the tension between him and the organization make this a complicated situation. The Celtics need to find a trade partner willing to offer real value, and Reid was clearly part of what they considered real value.

There’s no telling yet if the Hornets will ever engage on a Reid-for-Brown framework. For now Charlotte is content to hold onto him and see what this group can do. Boston will keep searching the market as the pressure builds.