The Boston Celtics are reportedly prepared to trade Jaylen Brown to pair Jayson Tatum with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Making the five-time All-Star the centerpiece of an offer to the Milwaukee Bucks begs an obvious question: What happens if they don't get Antetokounmpo? If the two-time NBA MVP is taking his talents to South Beach, what is to come for the relationship between Brown and the Celtics?
In an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show a day before the draft, ESPN's Shams Charania told the program's Boston Connor that if this pursuit of Antetokounmpo fails, then that subject will draw significant attention around the Association.
"If this deal doesn't get done for the Boston Celtics what happens with Jaylen Brown..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 22, 2026
To my knowledge they're not shopping Jaylen Brown..
This is a very specific situation" @ShamsCharania #PMSLive https://t.co/0m5F7YVsJ6 pic.twitter.com/FejNThfuA7
"Everyone around the league, BC, is gonna be talking about this," said Charania. "To my knowledge, they're not shopping Jaylen Brown. This is a very specific situation."
Is the Celtics' relationship with Jaylen Brown salvageable?
Boston views this as a chance to add a top-five talent. Even with the risks involved on the injury front and the potential disaster that an Antetokounmpo extension could turn into. It's an opportunity too tempting for them to pass up. Even in a league where stars change teams frequently, this one projects to be the best player available this offseason.
However, should he join the Miami Heat instead, even if the Celtics then wanted to keep Brown and Tatum intact, Brown may not feel the same way.
Jaylen Brown just now on his Twitch stream as the Celtics are in active trade negotiations for Giannis Antetokounmpo:
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 22, 2026
“To all the people that’s doubted me, that want me to do this, or want me (traded), you’re turning me into a monster.” pic.twitter.com/EJcf1l3NkZ
As evidenced by the video above, which was from Brown's Twitch stream on Sunday, the former Finals MVP loves turning slights into fuel. And he just led Boston through a season that the organization entered with great uncertainty. It ended on a sour note, squandering a 3-1 lead in the first round of the playoffs. However, along the way, there was a 56-win campaign and growth throughout the roster.
As Brown shouldered more responsibility on offense, his approach fed into that development. Whether blitzed or via his ability to get downhill, he repeatedly drew multiple defenders and created quality chances for his teammates. His career-high 5.1 assists, combined with his personal-best 28.7 points per contest, earned him his first start in the All-Star Game and a spot on the All-NBA Second Team for the second time.
Since the moment he got drafted, he has spent his career in trade rumors. However, to go through a year like that and then see his name in an offer for the second time in four years, there's no guarantee the Celtics could mend fences. In the summer of 2022, they made him available to try to land Kevin Durant. That was on the heels of him helping lead them to the NBA Finals.
Now, his favorite season, one where he finally got the chance to be his best self professionally, and he proved his doubters wrong, validating what he always believed about himself, might be his last one in Boston.
The two sides could get together after seeing Antetokounmpo wind up in Miami and decide they want to continue this partnership. That might require conversations between Brown and Tatum as well. It did after there was no deal for Durant. However, with his name again on the trading block, after getting the chance he had long dreamed about, this pursuit, successful or not, might sever a decade-long relationship.
The Celtics knew that before going after Antetokounmpo. They may have decided that, no matter how that chase ends, it's time to break up their franchise cornerstones.
Under this more punitive collective bargaining agreement, perhaps their best bet is to surround Tatum with a fortified supporting cast. So, if they don't reach a deal with the Bucks, maybe they will pivot to a trade for Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones. That pair of New Orleans Pelicans could also have new homes on draft night.
It reflects how quickly the clock is ticking. It also captures the slippery slope that could come with failing to bring Antetokounmpo to Boston. The Celtics' best path forward might not call for trading Brown, but they've put themselves in a position where that option may no longer exist.
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