Celtics, Jaylen Brown Not Likely to Part Ways, Rival GM Says

With the Celtics being anything but world-beaters in the NBA playoffs, speculation has reared its ugly head.

It suggests that guard/forward Jaylen Brown will look to leave this offseason. Or that the Celtics will look to move him.

But given that Brown was named Second Team All-NBA, he is now eligible for a five-year, $295 million supermax contract extension. Many around the league that the Celtics will give him just that. And many believe Brown will accept.

One rival Eastern Conference GM even suggested as much publicly, via Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports.

“Well, he would be crazy to pass on what Boston can give him,” the GM told Deveney. “They will have to go all in and he is going to have to take it. You can’t turn down what is going to wind up being $60 million a year. Maybe he’s happy in Boston, maybe not, but if you’re Jaylen Brown and you have the opportunity to be the highest-paid player in the league, you’re damn right you take it.”

Some of the chatter suggests that Brown is perhaps tired as sometimes being viewed as option 1-A behind fellow wing Jayson Tatum. Others say that the Celtics believe they have gone as far as they can with the duo. And if you remember, the Celtics reportedly were willing to include Brown in a trade with the Nets for Kevin Durant back in February.

But it would be difficult for Boston to get back a fair exchange for Brown. If the Celtics did deal him, they would want it to be for a clear and obvious upgrade. They aren’t looking to rebuild here.

So all things considered, it’s hard to envision Brown and the Celtics parting ways anytime soon — despite what the rumor mill may suggest.