According to Jeff Goodman, one of the Stadium’s Basketball Insiders, the extension of superstar Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown is “going to happen, it is just a matter of time”. Goodman appeared on Arbella Early Edition on NBC Sports Boston on Monday saying that he spoke with someone in the organization. Many things could be holding up the deal getting done, but it is clear that both sides are continuing to talk in order to get something done as soon as possible.
Grant Williams’ future is still up in the air, despite the fact that he was rumored to be at Boston’s practice with Jordan Walsh. That along with the fact that the Celtics do not have to offer a deal worth 35% of the salary cap could be possible explanations for this being dragged out. Supermax eligible means that he can earn between 30% and 35%, and Stevens can play around with those numbers with the goal of saving some money to use down the road.
Jaylen Brown eligible for a $295 million extension
On July 1, Brown became eligible for a five-year supermax contract extension worth up to $295 million this offseason. Due to the fact that Brown has contributed to the Celts for seven seasons, and made an All-NBA team this past campaign along with his teammate Jayson Tatum, the former California guard qualifies.
For the deal to be completed, Brad Stevens would have to be confident that the majority of the business this offseason is completed.
Jaylen Brown’s contract delay is not something to overreact to
No team on the market can offer the Georgia native more money than Boston. Critics enjoy talking about his turnover issues being enough for them to let the two-time All-Star go, but in reality, Brown was sensational last season. Never has he been more efficient from the floor during an 82-game regular season than in 2022-2023 with Joe Mazzulla leading the charge. His 49.1% shooting percentage was the best of any of his previous campaigns in green and white.
A Damian Lillard trade to the Celtics has been rumored with Tatum reportedly talking to him, but if this franchise is as confident as it looks in securing Brown for another five years, that should be off the table. If he signs the contract, the former California guard could not be dealt for an entire calendar year.
The Rafael Devers extension was the big talk surrounding the Boston Red Sox before their season kicked off. That eventually got done, and it looks like with a few things being ironed out, the Celts should get their second superstar penciled in for an extended period of time. Like Devers, there are several items that could be holding this deal up, but at the end of the day like Chris Forsberg said on the same segment with Goodman, this is all about ‘patience’. It is all speculation at this point, but according to the people close to the decision-makers, Stevens views Brown as a long-term piece of Boston’s championship puzzle.