NBA insider Chris Mannix revealed that the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks previously held talks involving Jaylen Brown. After Boston's playoff collapse, speculation around Brown's future is growing, with several teams expected to monitor the situation closely this offseason.
Trade rumors around Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown are starting to grow after Boston's shocking playoff collapse, and NBA insider Chris Mannix revealed that the Atlanta Hawks already explored the possibility of making a move for the All-Star wing.
Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown
Team: Boston Celtics
Position: SG, SF
Age: 29
Height: 198 cm
Weight: 101 kg
Birth place: Georgia, United States of America
Speaking about Boston's uncertain offseason, Mannix said the Hawks and Celtics had discussions about Brown last summer, although talks never became serious.
"I wrote this week about the Atlanta Hawks. Jaylen is a Georgia native. Last offseason, the Celtics and Hawks did have a brief conversation about Jaylen Brown," he said per NBA on NBC. "It didn't really go anywhere. The Hawks were leery about the size of Brown's contract, which at the time was, I believe, the richest contract in NBA history. And they weren't really in a position to go all in. The Celtics were not looking to give Jaylen Brown away, either. So, it didn't go anywhere."
Even though the talks ended quickly, Mannix believes Atlanta could revisit the idea after Boston's disappointing postseason exit.
"But that's a team, given what happened this season, that I could see getting interested in Jaylen Brown. Again, the Miamis, the Houstons, Golden State: teams that are theoretically going to be in the mix for Giannis Antetokounmpo, could turn around and make a run at Jaylen Brown. So, I think that situation bears watching," the insider concluded.
The Celtics entered the playoffs with championship expectations, but their season ended in disaster after blowing a 3-1 series lead and losing three home games in the first round.
That collapse has brought major questions about the future of Boston's roster construction, especially the long-term partnership between Jayson Tatum and Brown.
According to league expectations, Boston are not considering any scenario involving Tatum, who remains the face of the franchise after returning from his Achilles injury earlier than expected.
Brown, meanwhile, is coming off one of the strongest seasons of his career and is expected to receive All-NBA recognition. Still, the Celtics' early playoff exit has opened the door to speculation that roster changes could eventually happen if Boston decide a new direction is needed.
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