The rumor mill keeps spinning around Jaylen Brown. But one former NBA champion thinks the chatter is mostly noise unless Boston can land a very specific kind of return.
Danny Green, who won titles with three different teams, went on ESPN’s NBA Today on Friday and made a pretty straightforward case. He said the Celtics shouldn’t trade Brown unless they get back another franchise-level player. Not a package of role players and picks. Not a couple of good starters. A true star.
“Unless somebody else is willing to give up another franchise guy for Boston, why would you break up this duo?” Green said. “I think analytics are important, but I’m more of an eye test person. Jaylen Brown is a top 10 player in this league, and if you can’t get another top 10 player or top two top 20 players for him, I think you’re losing out.”
Green’s comments come after reports surfaced that the Celtics had explored using Brown in trade talks for Giannis Antetokounmpo before the two-time MVP was dealt to the Miami Heat. That deal obviously didn’t happen. And with Giannis off the board, Green doesn’t see a logical reason for Boston to keep shopping Brown.
“Now Giannis is off the table. What are you looking for? Why are we still dangling this guy out here unless you for sure have a certain U-turn or reroute of a person or pieces that make sense?” he said. “There are teams that we’ll discuss later on, but I just don’t see it.”
According to ClutchPoints senior NBA reporter Brett Siegel, Brown has not asked Boston for a trade. League sources told Siegel that Brown hasn’t approached team president Brad Stevens or anyone in the front office about wanting out. That detail matters because the rumors have been persistent enough that some fans might assume Brown is pushing for a move.
So what’s really going on? Boston seems willing to listen. That’s not the same as actively trying to move him. The Celtics have reportedly been open to a deal only if the right blockbuster comes along. And with Giannis gone, it’s unclear what that blockbuster would even look like anymore.
Green’s logic is hard to argue with. Brown and Jayson Tatum have been to the Finals together. They’ve been to the Eastern Conference finals multiple times. They’re both in their prime. Breaking that up for anything less than a clear upgrade feels like a gamble a contender shouldn’t need to take.
For now, Brown remains a Celtic. The rumors will probably keep coming. But if you ask Danny Green, the only trade worth making is one that brings back another star in return.
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