Why Brad Stevens will explore suitors for Jaylen Brown ahead of critical Celtics offseason

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Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown saw the best season of his career come to a stunning end after blowing a 3-1 lead against the Philadelphia 76ers in the opening round of the playoffs. The Celtics lost three games in a row with the 76ers on the brink of elimination, a first in the franchise’s rich history.

In a city that won’t settle for less than a championship, change feels inevitable for the Celtics this summer. Teams on the cusp of contending for a title don’t typically bow out in the first round of the playoffs, and very rarely do they succumb to a 3-1 lead ahead of a Game 7 collapse at home.

However, something changed after the Celtics’ 128-96 Game 4 win against the Sixers. Philadelphia’s defense, coupled with Boston losing Jayson Tatum to a knee injury before the second half, led to a dominating performance from 76ers center Joel Embiid, who finished with 33 points on 12-for-23 shooting, eight assists, and four rebounds.

Then, the 76ers ran their offense through Embiid, albeit in the post for high-percentage looks, which often ended in a make or a trip to the free-throw line, or from the perimeter, where he’d find All-Star Tyrese Maxey off a switch. These often led to unfavorable matchups for the Celtics’ frontcourt, and a 113-97 Sixers victory in Game 5. Paul George and rookie VJ Edgecombe took turns beating their defenders off the dribble, especially in transition.

Just a couple of the Celtics’ many weaknesses the 76ers exposed. This gives Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens reason to evaluate his assets, including the trade value of players such as starting guards Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and, of course, Brown, whose recent comments after a first-round exit appeared to express frustration with not only how the games were officiated, but also Joe Mazzulla’s approach.

From Brown’s Game 7 postgame comments to his Twitch streams, he didn’t hold back on what disappointed him about 2025-26, including losing a first-round, best-of-7 series to the 76ers. Brown complained about Embiid’s constant trips to the free-throw line, lack of earning calls, and, without Tatum, wished the Celtics’ Game 7 approach happened more often. Not regarding Mazzulla’s drastic lineup changes, but playing guys who earned roles before Tatum returned.

However, for a Celtics team heading into the offseason determined to construct the next title contender, Brown’s trade value is at an all-time high. And three years left on his deal, the Celtics are best-suited for one of two things: either trade Brown for a packaged deal that will satisfy Boston’s immediate needs, including an All-NBA talent, or improve the All-Star tandem’s supporting cast via trades and free agency, and possibly re-sign Jaylen to a two-year extension.

Brad Stevens responds to Tracy McGrady’s Jalen Brown comments Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

For some, hearing Tracy McGrady, a mentor of the Celtics All-Star forward, relay Jaylen Brown’s frustration evoked doubt about his future alongside Jayson Tatum. Before Tatum returned from injury in March, head coach Joe Mazzulla turned to players such as Baylor Scheierman, Luka Garza, and second-round pick Hugo Gonzalez for meaningful playing time often throughout the regular season.

All of a sudden, that change, which could have been when Brown’s frustration began. Either way, McGrady’s comments stirred speculation that Jaylen was upset with the Celtics organization in some way, he said, per his podcast, Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady.

“[Jaylen Brown’s] frustration lies deeply within the organization… There’s just been a lot of stuff that I’ve been hearing, just going on with the Boston [Celtics] organization, with JB,” McGrady said on the Cousins podcast.

“We’ve been here 10 years together, and I do think that, obviously, I love JB,” Stevens stated. “Everybody around here loves JB, and I think, just like any of our other guys, as we get to the end of the season, I’ll be here, and my door is always open.”

Stevens did everything he could to express that Brown is happy to be with the Celtics, and he was convincing in his demeanor.

“I talked to Jaylen Monday a little bit after…real quickly, and it was nothing but positive,” Stevens said. “He has not expressed those frustrations to me. We’ve been here 10 years together. Obviously, I love JB; everybody around here loves JB. I think just like any of our other guys, as we get to the end of the season, I’ll be here, and my door is always open. If anybody ever wants to come in and talk about it… I’m all ears.”

After Stevens’ press conference, Brown quickly set the record straight ahead of a critical Celtics offseason.

“I love Boston,” Brown said. “If it were up to me, I would play in Boston for the next 10 years.”

Important PR move for Brown amid conflicting reports and immediate speculation that perhaps the Celtics are at a crossroads with their All-Star duo. In some ways, they are, considering Jaylen’s eligible for a contract extension ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Coming off his best season with only two years remaining on his deal, Brown is the All-NBA-caliber player who could transform a team into a title-contender by making one blockbuster trade.

Significant changes are reportedly on the horizon for Celtics

Whether Brad Stevens and the front office decide to trade Jaylen Brown or not this summer, many anticipate the Celtics will make significant changes during the offseason, according to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.

“Rival front offices are already preparing for a big change to happen to the Celtics’ roster this offseason, and team president Brad Stevens will evaluate the market for what upgrade he could possibly make in a trade involving Brown, sources said,” Siegel reported.

With Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the rumor mill, the Celtics will explore that potential route, along with others, and Stevens will weigh out all options to determine what’s best for potentially moving toward a new era.

Why Brad Stevens will explore suitors for Jaylen Brown ahead of critical Celtics offseason

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