Celtics Notes: Jaylen Brown, Brad Stevens, Kristaps Porzingis

Celtics guard/forward Jaylen Brown is up for a maximum contract extension and team president Brad Stevens indicated he hopes a deal is done before the season.

“It’s been all good discussion,” Stevens said, via Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe. “We want Jaylen Brown to be here for a long, long time and we’ve made that clear. We’re looking forward to all sitting down, and we’ve got time here. I probably shouldn’t say anything else, but I feel optimistic.”

The Celtics have until October to finalize Brown’s contract.

” The delay is likely related to the incentive structure, and perhaps the inclusion of a fifth-year player option like the one fellow All-Star Jayson Tatum received,” Himmelsbach wrote.

• Stevens had some positive things to say about forward Grant Williams, who was traded to the Mavericks last week. “Obviously, Grant had a good four years with us and did a lot of good things, and obviously every decision we make right now you’ve got to have short and long term in mind,” Stevens said, via Himmelsbach. “But he’ll do well. We’re in a unique position obviously where, when we traded, we weren’t going to take much back. But I do think it’ll be a good opportunity for him and it gives us some flexibility here as we move forward. But he did a good job. He’s a hard guy to lose.”
• Stevens also addressed the trade with the Wizards for forward Kristaps Porzingis. “I just think we’re fortunate to do that, a guy that can play with either of our bigs and play as the lone big,” Stevens said. “I mean, that’s a big part of what we need to be moving forward, as far as we have a little bit more balance there in that group. He’s a good player and to have him here for a few years is obviously a good thing.”