{"id":735605,"date":"2026-05-16T04:33:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T04:33:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/735605\/"},"modified":"2026-05-16T04:33:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T04:33:16","slug":"why-brad-stevens-will-explore-suitors-for-jaylen-brown-ahead-of-critical-celtics-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/735605\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Brad Stevens will explore suitors for Jaylen Brown ahead of critical Celtics offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why Brad Stevens will explore suitors for Jaylen Brown ahead of critical Celtics offseason<\/a> appeared first on ClutchPoints<\/a>. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Boston Celtics<\/a> All-Star Jaylen Brown<\/a> saw the best season of his career come to a stunning end after blowing a 3-1 lead against the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> in the opening round of the playoffs. The Celtics lost three games in a row<\/a> with the 76ers on the brink of elimination, a first in the franchise\u2019s rich history.<\/p>\n

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In a city that won\u2019t settle for less than a championship, change feels inevitable for the Celtics this summer. Teams on the cusp of contending for a title don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

However, something changed after the Celtics\u2019 128-96 Game 4 win against the Sixers. Philadelphia<\/a>\u2019s defense, coupled with Boston losing Jayson Tatum<\/a> to a knee injury before the second half, led to a dominating performance from 76ers center Joel Embiid<\/a>, who finished with 33 points on 12-for-23 shooting, eight assists, and four rebounds.<\/p>\n

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\u2019d find All-Star Tyrese Maxey<\/a> off a switch. These often led to unfavorable matchups for the Celtics\u2019 frontcourt, and a 113-97 Sixers victory in Game 5. Paul George<\/a> and rookie VJ Edgecombe<\/a> took turns beating their defenders off the dribble, especially in transition.<\/p>\n

Just a couple of the Celtics\u2019 many weaknesses the 76ers exposed. This gives Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens<\/a> reason to evaluate his assets, including the trade value of players such as starting guards Derrick White<\/a>, Payton Pritchard<\/a>, 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\u2019s approach.<\/p>\n

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From Brown\u2019s Game 7 postgame comments to his Twitch streams, he didn\u2019t 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\u2019s constant trips to the free-throw line, lack of earning calls, and, without Tatum, wished the Celtics\u2019 Game 7 approach happened more often. Not regarding Mazzulla\u2019s drastic lineup changes, but playing guys who earned roles before Tatum returned.<\/p>\n

However, for a Celtics team heading into the offseason determined to construct the next title contender, Brown\u2019s 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\u2019s immediate needs, including an All-NBA talent, or improve the All-Star tandem\u2019s supporting cast via trades and free agency, and possibly re-sign Jaylen to a two-year extension.<\/p>\n

Brad Stevens responds to Tracy McGrady\u2019s Jalen Brown comments\"Winslow<\/p>\n

Winslow Townson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

For some, hearing Tracy McGrady, a mentor of the Celtics All-Star forward, relay Jaylen Brown\u2019s 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<\/a>, Luka Garza<\/a>, and second-round pick Hugo Gonzalez<\/a> for meaningful playing time often throughout the regular season.<\/p>\n

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All of a sudden, that change, which could have been when Brown\u2019s frustration began. Either way, McGrady\u2019s comments stirred speculation<\/a> that Jaylen was upset with the Celtics organization in some way, he said, per his podcast, Cousins with Vince Carter<\/a> & Tracy McGrady.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Jaylen Brown\u2019s] frustration lies deeply within the organization\u2026 There\u2019s just been a lot of stuff that I\u2019ve been hearing, just going on with the Boston [Celtics] organization, with JB,\u201d McGrady said on the Cousins podcast.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been here 10 years together, and I do think that, obviously, I love JB,\u201d Stevens stated. \u201cEverybody around here loves JB, and I think, just like any of our other guys, as we get to the end of the season, I\u2019ll be here, and my door is always open.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stevens did everything he could to express that Brown is happy to be with the Celtics, and he was convincing in his demeanor.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI talked to Jaylen Monday a little bit after\u2026real quickly, and it was nothing but positive,\u201d Stevens said. \u201cHe has not expressed those frustrations to me. We\u2019ve 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\u2019ll be here, and my door is always open. If anybody ever wants to come in and talk about it\u2026 I\u2019m all ears.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Stevens\u2019 press conference, Brown quickly set the record straight<\/a> ahead of a critical Celtics offseason.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love Boston,\u201d Brown said. \u201cIf it were up to me, I would play in Boston for the next 10 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019s eligible for a contract extension ahead of the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

Significant changes are reportedly on the horizon for Celtics<\/p>\n

Whether Brad Stevens and the front office decide to trade Jaylen Brown or not this summer, many anticipate the\u00a0Celtics will make significant changes during the offseason<\/a>, according to ClutchPoints\u2019 Brett Siegel.<\/p>\n

\u201cRival front offices are already preparing for a big change to happen to the Celtics\u2019 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,\u201d Siegel reported.<\/p>\n

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With Bucks<\/a> All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a> leading the rumor mill, the Celtics will explore that potential route, along with others, and Stevens will weigh out all options to determine what\u2019s best for potentially moving toward a new era.<\/p>\n

Related: Celtics legend Isaiah Thomas returns to team in scouting role<\/a><\/p>\n

Related: Celtics\u2019 Jaylen Brown reveals Kobe Bryant inspiration for shoe brand<\/a><\/p>\n