The Boston Celtics are expected to demand a massive return in any potential Jaylen Brown trade, with younger players, draft picks and future flexibility becoming possible components of a deal, according to The Athletic’s Jay King.
“There is even some belief that the Celtics front office would consider offers based more on younger prospects, picks and pick swaps,” King reported Wednesday. “In any potential deal, Boston would be expected to demand top value for Brown, who is coming off a sixth-place MVP finish.”
The report comes as Brown’s future has become one of the NBA’s biggest offseason storylines. ESPN insider Shams Charania reported during the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft that Boston has been actively involved in trade discussions surrounding Brown and has spoken with multiple interested teams.
Charania added that rival executives have sensed a level of intent from the Celtics in those conversations, although there is no indication that a trade is close.
Boston’s willingness to explore options follows its unsuccessful pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Celtics reportedly offered Brown and two first-round picks in an attempt to acquire the former MVP before he was ultimately traded to the Miami Heat.
With Antetokounmpo no longer available, Boston faces a major decision: continue building around Brown and Jayson Tatum or reshape the roster around a different core.
Brown remains one of the league’s most valuable two-way wings. The 29-year-old averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 71 games during the 2025-26 season, earning All-NBA Second Team honors and finishing sixth in MVP voting.
His production helped the Celtics finish 56-26, the second-best record in the Eastern Conference behind the 60-win Detroit Pistons. However, Boston’s season ended earlier than expected after a seven-game first-round loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Celtics’ interest in reshaping the roster has also fueled speculation around possible targets. Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley has been repeatedly mentioned by league sources as a player who could become involved in a Brown-related scenario, according to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix.
Mobley, 25, averaged 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 blocks last season while shooting 54.6% from the field. He earned All-Defensive Second Team recognition and represents a younger frontcourt centerpiece who could pair with Tatum.
A Brown trade centered around Mobley would change the direction of both franchises. Cleveland would add an elite perimeter scorer alongside Donovan Mitchell, who averaged 27.9 points and 5.7 assists during the regular season. The Cavaliers finished 52-30 before being swept by the eventual champion New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Boston would also gain more flexibility if it moved Brown’s contract. Brown has approximately $183 million remaining on his supermax deal and is eligible for a two-year extension worth up to $141.8 million, while Mobley is entering the second season of a five-year, $269 million extension.
The Celtics added frontcourt pieces in the draft by selecting Chris Cenac Jr. at No. 27 and Dillon Mitchell at No. 40, but those moves are unlikely to determine Brown’s future.
