Celtics Set High Asking Price in Jaylen Brown Trade Talks
The Boston Celtics have demanded at least four first-round picks in exchange for Jaylen Brown, following a first-round playoff exit and an unsuccessful pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Multiple teams have expressed interest, but the asking price is steep.
Trade Discussions and Asking Price
According to multiple reports, the Celtics have asked interested teams for a package including at least four first-round draft picks in exchange for Brown. This asking price reportedly exceeds the three first-round picks, a pick swap, a second-round pick, and young players Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. that the Miami Heat included in their successful bid for Antetokounmpo.
Brown, 29, has three years and $183 million remaining on his contract. He was named Second-Team All-NBA for the 2025-26 season after averaging 22.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. The Celtics finished with 56 wins as the No. 2 seed but were eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round after blowing a 3-1 series lead.
Reported Interest from Teams
Portland Trail Blazers
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Trail Blazers have expressed interest in Brown. Portland has a combination of young players and draft picks that could potentially meet the Celtics' demands. The team recently made the playoffs as a No. 7 seed but lost in the first round.
Detroit Pistons
NBA insiders Jake Fischer and Marc Stein reported that Detroit is considering a sign-and-trade deal involving center Jalen Duren.
Minnesota Timberwolves
According to The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski, the Timberwolves previously held talks with the Celtics about Brown. However, the asking price—reportedly including Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, and draft picks similar to the compensation sent to Charlotte for LaMelo Ball—was considered too high for Minnesota.
Additional Teams
Multiple reports have linked the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans, Atlanta Hawks, and Denver Nuggets to potential trade scenarios involving Brown.
Team Context and Offseason Needs
The Celtics have faced salary cap constraints with both Brown and Jayson Tatum on supermax contracts. Following the team's playoff exit, Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens identified the need for more offensive versatility, rim pressure, and frontcourt size.
Boston ranked 27th in the NBA in points in the paint last season. Stevens stated the team needs "to have more of an impact at the rim" and described questions about the team's three-point-heavy strategy as "really fair." The Celtics averaged 46 three-point attempts per game in the series against Philadelphia, shooting 27.4% in losses.
Draft and Roster Moves
The Celtics selected forward Chris Cenac Jr. from Houston with the 27th overall pick in the NBA Draft. Stevens described him as a "good, young player" who is "energetic, excellent athlete, long."
The team holds a $27.7 million trade exception from the Anfernee Simons deal, along with smaller trade exceptions, a $15 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception, and a $5.4 million bi-annual exception. Center Neemias Queta has a $2.7 million team option for the upcoming season.
Statements on Brown's Future
When asked whether Brown would play for the Celtics next season, Stevens responded:
"Jaylen Brown is a big part of us. I'm never going to predict the future, but, like, every indication, everything that I think about over the past few years has been building around those guys, right? So, obviously you never know."
Stevens also stated that Brown has been "valued" and that the team has been "building around those guys." He declined to say whether the Celtics would offer Brown a two-year, $142 million contract extension in July.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst stated that the Celtics "intend to trade" Brown, noting that the team remains active in trade talks despite Brown's performance. Windhorst added that finding a suitable deal may be challenging due to Brown's age and contract value.
Brown acknowledged the trade rumors during a Twitch stream, stating they motivate him. He expressed that he loves Boston and would play there for "the next 10 years" if it were up to him.