Jaylen Brown trade rumors: Celtics talking to 8-10 teams, but star hasn’t asked out

Jul 1, 2026, 9:03 PM UTC

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 19: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on January 19, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

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Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.

Jaylen Brown hasn’t requested a trade from the Boston Celtics, but the team is still “strongly shopping” him right now, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania. The Celtics offered Brown to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier this offseason, but they ultimately accepted a better package from the Miami Heat. Many have wondered if the Celtics would try to mend fences with Brown to bring him back for next season, but the organization is reportedly going the other way and offering him up to the highest bidder.

The NBA has already seen a ton of big moves in the early stages of the offseason, with LaMelo Ball going to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kawhi Leonard getting traded to the Toronto Raptors, and LeBron James pushing his way out of the Los Angeles Lakers. It sure seems like Brown will be the next star to move.

The Celtics made a solid move by signing Mitchell Robinson to a three-year deal earlier in the day. As Charania reported Robinson’s signing on ESPN, he also broke down the Brown negotiations. The Celtics are reportedly seeking a package of players and picks, and have asked for as many as four future first-round picks in some discussions. Charania reports that Boston is talking to 8-10 teams right now. Watch the full clip here:

I came up with Jaylen Brown fake trades last week. The best package feels like it could come from the Portland Trail Blazers or Houston Rockets. The Rockets could offer Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. if they want. The Blazers could potentially build a package around Donovan Clingan and Jrue Holiday. I listed the Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, and Washington Wizards as potential sleeper teams. Will a dark horse candidate emerge to trade for Brown?

The most surprising thing is that the Celtics are shopping Brown hard even though he hasn’t asked for a trade. Brown’s contract is the biggest hurdle for Boston or another suitor right now. He has three years and over $180 million left on his deal.