Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) dribbles past Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) in the second quarter at Target Center.
Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Before the Minnesota Timberwolves landed LaMelo Ball in a blockbuster trade with the Charlotte Hornets, they were engaged in trade talks with the Boston Celtics over All-Star Jaylen Brown. The Timberwolves parted ways with veteran center Naz Reid in the deal, who was also mentioned in talks with the Celtics.
The Celtics were reportedly interested in trading for Reid and Rudy Gobert, according to The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski.
“The Wolves did have real discussions with the Boston Celtics about Jaylen Brown,” Krawczynski said. “They had a lot of internal discussions about it as well. At the time that they talked, the Celtics wanted Rudy [Gobert] and Naz [Reid]. If the Wolves didn't do the LaMelo deal, and maybe that price tag dropped as the summer went along, could something else have come together for them on that front? It's possible, I guess.
“But I do think that the Wolves are happy with the LaMelo fit a little bit more than they would have been with the Jaylen fit. At the time that they were engaged with the Celtics, the Celtics were asking for a lot for him, and the Wolves just said that's too much for Jaylen Brown.”
Instead of trading Jaylen Brown to the Timberwolves, the Celtics ultimately agreed to a blockbuster move with the Philaldelphis 76ers in exchange for veteran Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks. Then, the Timberwolves, who kept Gobert ahead of the 2026-27 season, in a four-team swap, traded Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets, and Reid to the Hornets for LaMelo Ball, and Josh Green.