Bidding War Expected for Celtics Star Jaylen Brown, Says ESPN’s Windhorst
bidding-war-expected-for-jaylen-brown
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said Tuesday morning on Get Up that multiple NBA teams are preparing to make aggressive offers for Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown after Boston’s failed pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“What I expect to happen is a bidding war for Jaylen Brown,” Windhorst told the program, adding that front offices have been “preparing for this eventuality” and that a deal involving draft picks “could happen today.”
According to Windhorst, the Celtics included Brown in a “very strong” package for Antetokounmpo but hesitated to add other young players. Team officials were reportedly aware of the backlash that could follow once Brown’s name surfaced in trade discussions.
Leaguewide Interest Growing
The five-time All-Star is coming off a career year, averaging 28.7 points per game and earning All-NBA Second Team honors. With Jayson Tatum sidelined for most of the season by a torn Achilles, Brown led Boston to the East’s No. 2 seed.
Portland, Atlanta and Houston have been linked to Brown in recent weeks, and Monday’s report that the Rockets are open to trading much of their roster is seen as a possible precursor to an offer. Other clubs are expected to join the chase.
Contract and Future
Brown, 29, is owed roughly $183 million over the next three seasons and becomes eligible next month for a two-year, $142 million extension. Contract size is viewed as the lone drawback for interested suitors.
This is not the first time Boston has floated Brown in trade talks. Four years ago, the Celtics offered him to Brooklyn in a failed bid for Kevin Durant. Brown later said he cleared the air with team executives and went on to win Finals MVP when Boston captured the 2024 championship.
Windhorst suggested the Celtics may now be ready to break up their star duo, noting that Brown assumed an “alpha” role during Tatum’s absence. “I think Jaylen Brown is probably—not for sure—going to be elsewhere when the season opens,” he said.
Source: Hoops Rumors
