After the fallout from the failed Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit, it truly sounds like the Boston Celtics are thinking about trading Jaylen Brown. However, that does not mean that they are simply giving him up. A player of his caliber who just came off the best season of his career should not be traded just because, and the Celtics made that clear with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On "The Zach Lowe Show," The Athletic's Jon Krawcynzki revealed that the Timberwolves were having "real conversations" about Jaylen Brown before the LaMelo Ball trade, but the Celtics price was astronomically high, as they asked for Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, a young player like Terrence Shannon Jr. or Joan Beringe, and all the draft compensation they sent Charlotte for Ball (42:15 mark().
Krawcynzki added that a deal like that was "maybe a bridge too far," which is a pretty accurate description. In essence, it was a trade package that made it clear that Boston was not going to make it easy for Minnesota, as such a trade would have left a hole in their frontcourt.
Moreover, that's exactly what any suitor for Jaylen Brown should expect this summer. The Celtics may be dangling him, but only for a price that would further ensure their future while making Brown's next team's a little murkier.
People need to understand that even when someone like Brown is available, Boston won't make the situation easy with any suitor. Look at how Milwaukee handled the Giannis situation. They drew it out for as long as they could. Even if the deal they got wasn't great, they made it clear they wouldn't resolve the situation just because.
Brown having three years left on his deal gives Boston options
While the Celtics may be looking out to see how they can build the best team possible, they have time to think about what to do with Brown. They may not give him an extension, but he has three years left on his current deal, which gives them plenty of time to see how everything else plays out before making a decision.
Take what happened with Ball. Until last night, no one thought he was available, and before you know it, now he's in the Twin Cities. More could unfold in the coming weeks that it might be possible the Celtics will that play out before they pull the trigger on a Brown trade, and that's if they pull that trigger.
It's very possible Brown rumors will persis throughout the summer with no resolution in sight. The Celtics hold the cards here. What they wanted from the Timberwolves was a message sent to the rest of the NBA: You want Jaylen Brown? Pay up!
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