Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens told NBA reporters that he wants Jaylen Brown to be in Boston for a “long, long time.”
The Celtics and Brown are negotiating a five-year, $295 million supermax contract. Boston is believed to be offering Brown the full five-year max, but the holdup is most likely over a fifth-year player option and/or a trade kicker.
“It’s been all good discussion,” Stevens said. “We want Jaylen to be here for a long, long time and we’ve made that clear. We’re looking forward to all sitting down and we have time. I probably shouldn’t say anything else, but I feel optimistic.”
Brown is not eligible for a no-trade clause since players need eight years of service and he has only completed seven years. The All-Star swingman could negotiate a trade kicker worth up to 15 percent of his salary.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jaylen Brown & Boston Celtics Updates
Brown is eligible to sign a designated veteran extension with the Celtics because he made an All-NBA team last season. The talented small forward has one year left on his current contract. Brown will make $28.5 million next season and hit unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2024 if the Celtics don’t sign him to an extension.
Jayson Tatum told reporters after the Miami Heat won Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Boston that it’s “extremely important” for Brown to be back next season. Tatum and Brown are close friends and teammates.
“It’s extremely important,” Tatum said. “He’s one of the best players in this league. He plays both ends of the ball and still is relatively young. And he’s accomplished a lot so far in his career. So I think it’s extremely important.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jaylen Brown & Boston Celtics Updates
Brown averaged 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 2022-23 for the Celtics while shooting 49.1% from the field, 33.5% from beyond the arc and 76.5% from the free-throw line. He has made two All-Stars teams since getting drafted in 2016.
Boston will look different next season after trading Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies and Grant Williams to the Dallas Mavericks and acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards. However, Brown and Tatum, the two best players, will be back barring a surprise in the Brown negotiations.
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