The Boston Celtics have significantly reduced their payroll and luxury tax obligations while getting under the second apron with their trades of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis on consecutive days before the draft. Boston reportedly would prefer to keep Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, but they also appear willing to listen to offers.
"The Celtics prefer not to trade Jaylen Brown and Derrick White," said Shams Charania on The Stephen A. Smith Show. "But the offers they're getting right now and conversations are going to be had. Does it reach the value? That's the question. You're looking at a lot of potential movement around the Celtics."
Brown is entering Year 2 of his five-year, $304 million supermax contract extension signed during the 2023 offseason. Brown will earn $53.1 million next season after averaging 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists last season. Brown underwent offseason meniscus surgery after the conclusion of their playoff run.
"There are multiple [teams] that have significant interest in Jaylen Brown," said Charania. "The contract is steep I understand it. But there are teams, especially in today's NBA, especially in the Eastern Conference, and we're seeing an arms race in the Western Conference."
