The Boston Celtics‘ roller-coaster ride of a season that was the 2025-26 campaign ended in a free fall, as the team was eliminated from the playoffs after blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers. Now that the season is over, trade rumors have quickly begun to swirl around Jaylen Brown.
Even though he is fresh off an MVP-caliber campaign for the C’s, recent comments made by Brown, and the manner in which Boston just got eliminated, have led folks across the league to believe that he could be on the move this offseason. Publicly, Brown and the Celtics’ general manager, Brad Stevens, have downplayed these rumors, but behind the scenes, it may be a different story.
Celtics to Explore Jaylen Brown Trade, But There’s a Catch
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And more intel the Friday before the draft lottery:
For the majority of Brown’s career, he’s ridden shotgun alongside Jayson Tatum as the top option for the Celtics. This season, though, with Tatum missing the majority of the year recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, Brown was given the reins to the team’s offense, and he promptly put together the best season of his career (28.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 5.1 APG, 47.7 FG%).
Even with Tatum returning late in the season, Brown continued playing at a high level, and he nearly guided Boston to a comeback victory in Game 7 against the Sixers with Tatum on the sidelines. The team came up just short, though, and now, serious questions about Brown’s long-term future with the team loom.
The C’s always were expected to retool their roster this offseason, but for the most part, the expectation was that the moves would be made around Tatum and Brown. Now, there’s a real chance that Brown could be on the move, as NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints revealed that the team will explore trades for the 2024 NBA Finals MVP. However, that doesn’t automatically guarantee that he will be getting dealt.
“Rival front offices are already preparing for a big change to happen to the Celtics’ roster this offseason, and team president Brad Stevens will evaluate the market for what upgrade he could possibly make in a trade involving Brown, sources said. However, this is not to say definitively that the Celtics will even consider trading Brown,” Siegel reported.
Celtics Have a Big Decision to Make on Jaylen Brown’s Future
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 10: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts after being called for a foul during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the TD Garden on April 10, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
While Brown and the Celtics have remained committed to each other publicly, at some point, the truth is going to come to light. In July, Brown will be eligible for a two-year, $141.9 million contract extension, so if either side doesn’t want to stick with the other, that is probably when we will find out.
Considering what he just did this season for the C’s, Brown would command a massive return if he does get traded, but it remains to be seen if splitting him and Tatum is the best path for the team moving forward. This isn’t the first time Brown has seen his name pop up in trade rumors, but considering how disappointing the team’s postseason exit was, he could very well be on the move at some point over the next few months.
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