File this one under something to watch.
The Celtics and Hawks had what SI.com’s Chris Mannix described as a “brief conversation” about Jaylen Brown last offseason, and Mannix said on NBC Sports the idea could resurface this summer.
Per Mannix, those talks never got far. Atlanta was hesitant about taking on Brown’s $53.1 million salary and wasn’t quite ready to push all its chips in with a still-developing roster. On the other side, Boston wasn’t exactly shopping Brown or looking to move him at a discount. So it stalled.
A year later, the context has shifted a bit.
Brown put together arguably the best statistical season of his career, taking on a primary scoring role while Jayson Tatum worked back from an Achilles tear.
Still, the Celtics’ season ended with a first-round loss to the 76ers, and Mannix suggests Boston could at least weigh options on a deal that still has three years and more than $183 million remaining.
Atlanta, meanwhile, surged late to grab the No. 6 seed. That could make the Hawks more open to absorbing a major salary if it means a jump into the contender tier in 2026-27.
Mannix added that if Brown becomes available, he won’t lack suitors. The Heat, Rockets and Warriors were mentioned as teams expected to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo and could pivot to Brown if that chase comes up empty.
It’s also been a noisy stretch around Brown since the Celtics’ exit. He criticized officials on a Twitch stream and was fined $50,000 by the league. There was some fan pushback after he called it his “favorite season,” and comments from Tracy McGrady about possible frustration behind the scenes. Team president Brad Stevens said Brown hasn’t voiced any issues to him.
For his part, Brown tried to calm things down later in the week, reiterating he wants to finish his career in Boston and saying he and Stevens have a strong relationship.
All that said, the contract looms large. Brown is set to make $57 million next season, then $61 million and nearly $65 million before hitting free agency in 2029. He’s an All-NBA level talent and still in his prime. The price tag just makes any potential deal a serious conversation.
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