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Boston Celtics: is it true that Jaylen Brown doesn’t yet deserve a max contract extension?

By Andrew Hughes

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 9: (EDITORS NOTE: Multiple exposures were combined in camera to produce this image) Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on against the LA Clippers on February 9, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 9: (EDITORS NOTE: Multiple exposures were combined in camera to produce this image) Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on against the LA Clippers on February 9, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The rumor mill has churned out an interesting nugget regarding Jaylen Brown‘s next contract. Is the fourth-year Boston Celtics swingman worth a max deal in restricted free agency?

An anonymous NBA front office executive recently made comments that insinuated Jaylen Brown wasn’t worth a max contract extension. That is great news for the Boston Celtics for a few different reasons.

The first reason is simple: motivation. Whenever front office suits have something to say about whether or not an NBA player deserves more money, said NBA player has every reason to put their sentiment to bed. The NBA operates as a game of chess for all 30 NBA front offices.

Anonymous front office leaks are strategic. With these thoughts now public, Brown likely realizes that the time to sway public opinion is now.

The second reason is a bit more complex.

Leaks like these can damage Brown’s bargaining power for an extension before the season. Carmelo Anthony‘s ongoing exile (whether you agree with it or not) showed that a group-think mindset can do to sway a player’s fate. If multiple executives believe that Brown isn’t worth a max extension, the Boston Celtics would just be outbidding themselves.

Caris LeVert signed a three year deal for $52 million. While financially far off from the deal Brown wants to receive next offseason, three-years 52 million would be an ideal price point for the Boston Celtics to retain their #2 overall pick in 2016.

While LeVert came into the league with different expectations, production has been similar between the two players so far in their three-year careers. While LeVert was a likely lottery pick, injuries caused him to miss a chunk of his rookie season with the lowly Brooklyn Nets. Brown entered into the league looking to contribute right away on a Boston Celtics team that became the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

That said, both players have averaged 11 points per game thus far in their careers. That is with LeVert missing half the season his rookie season and being eased into the rotation with a minutes restriction. To be fair, Brown came into the league with an MVP-level Isaiah Thomas and later on a ball-dominant Kyrie Irving as his two floor generals. LeVert was taking touches away from Isaiah Whitehead on the Nets second unit.

It’s not likely Brown will receive a max extension. It doesn’t behoove the Celtics to outbid themselves, especially with Gordon Hayward‘s potential looming free agency (he owns a player option for 2020-21).

dark. Next. How has tampering affected the Celtics?

That said, it’s on him to prove that isn’t the case when June 30th, 2020 rolls around.

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