The Boston Celtics’ failed pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t just cost them a superstar. It cracked open a trade market around Jaylen Brown that shows no sign of cooling.
With multiple teams now circling, the 2024 Finals MVP finds himself at the center of the off-season’s biggest roster chess match. The price Boston put on the table for Minnesota has finally surfaced, and it tells the full story of how this Celtics front office thinks about its own star.
Timberwolves Reject Massive Demand From Celtics In Potential Jaylen Brown Deal
Minnesota’s Interest Dies Fast
The Minnesota Timberwolves were among the teams that recently spoke with Boston about Brown’s availability before finalizing a deal with the Charlotte Hornets for LaMelo Ball. According to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski, the Celtics wanted a package that included Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, and similar pick compensation to what went to Charlotte for Ball. That is a price Minnesota simply deemed too much for a “soon-to-be 30-year-old forward” who wasn’t as clean a fit next to Anthony Edwards.
Minnesota ultimately landed Ball and Josh Green in exchange for Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps, and three second-round picks. That deal makes clear what Boston’s ask truly costs them. The team chose a younger guard with a cleaner fit over Boston’s demand for two of their frontcourt cornerstones, reinforcing the Timberwolves’ long-term offensive identity.
Jaylen Brown’s Rebuild Motive Surfaces
The center position sits at the heart of this saga. A rival executive claimed the Celtics are “hunting a big man” and “willing to trade him to get it.” Gobert fit the profile Boston has reportedly explored as it looks to reshape its frontcourt, giving Brad Stevens’ roster an elite rim protector to anchor the paint alongside Jayson Tatum. Losing him would also deepen the recovery plan problem that Minnesota has spent the offseason trying to solve.
The Celtics cannot afford to take a step back if they move Brown, meaning any deal must bring back high-quality pieces they can pair with Tatum. That standard narrows the field considerably. Not many teams have the kind of draft capital Boston reportedly seeks, along with the cap flexibility to absorb Brown’s contract.
The Price Tag Doesn’t Stop There
Minnesota’s package wasn’t the only demand Boston floated. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that in some discussions, the Celtics have asked teams for “at least” four first-round draft picks in exchange for Brown.
“In some cases, the Celtics have asked for at least four first-round picks for Jaylen Brown.” @ShamsCharania on a potential Jaylen Brown trade 👀 pic.twitter.com/seGNQWJBBX
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 26, 2026
That figure carries context. Brown averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game during the 2025-26 season, finished sixth in MVP voting, and earned All-NBA Second Team honors for the second time in his career. He carried Boston with Tatum sidelined for much of the year, making his case as a genuine No. 1 option. For Minnesota, paying that price would have represented another expensive trade gamble in building around Edwards.
The 29-year-old is entering the third year of his $285 million supermax extension, valued at $57.1 million for 2026-27, and becomes eligible for a two-year, $142 million extension from the Celtics starting July 26.
Jaylen Brown Has Not Asked Out
Despite the noise, one critical fact cuts through the speculation. League sources told ClutchPoints that Brown has not approached any member of the front office or the team president to request a trade. Earlier this offseason, Brown said on a Twitch stream that if the decision were solely his, he would play in Boston for the “next 10 years.”
The distinction matters. Brown may be available for the right price, but this is not being framed as a star forcing his way out. Stevens addressed the situation publicly after the first night of the draft. “With all the rumor mill and all that stuff, and his name being splashed all over the place, that’s not easy,” Stevens said. “We certainly wanted to be as proactive and up-front with that as possible. I thought we had really good, candid conversations.”
A Growing List Of Suitors
Minnesota may have passed, but others remain engaged. Both the Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans have engaged in trade discussions with Boston, with the Celtics carrying a long-standing interest in Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III. The Cleveland Cavaliers have also surfaced as a potential option, potentially including Evan Mobley in an offer.
Conversations regarding Brown’s future are expected to continue past the start of free agency on June 30th and into the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, beginning July 9th. Brown has not requested a trade, but Boston has not slammed the door on conversations either. The Celtics hold the leverage, and they know exactly what they want in return.
Featured Image: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
