The Boston Celtics have already made big offseason moves, sending Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday out the door in a push to get under the second apron of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. But could Finals MVP Jaylen Brown be next?
While trade rumors around the 28-year-old continue to swirl, CBS Sports’ Brad Botkin believes Boston isn’t ready to part ways with their star wing just yet.
“Honestly, the Celtics could use a gap year,” Botkin said. “They’ve been in conference finals three of the last four years and the Finals two of the last four. Tatum and White both payed in the Olympics. This has been a long, difficult run with a lot of hard postseason miles on everyone’s bodies. Let these Boston guys breathe for a season and then pick it back up with Tatum in 2026-27, when he and Brown will both still be south of 30. That’s the measured play, and I’m confident Boston will go that route.”
Brown is coming off another All-Star season and narrowly missed out on an All-NBA or All-Defensive selection. With Jayson Tatum expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season, Brown will carry a heavy load as the Celtics look to stay afloat in a weakened Eastern Conference.
The Celtics could command a massive return for Brown if they chose to explore deals, but for now, Botkin predicts the two-time All-Star will stay in Boston and enter his tenth NBA season still wearing green and white.
With Boston’s roster in transition, all eyes are now on Brown to see if he can lead the team back to contention, and perhaps secure his long-term future in the process.
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