Jaylen Brown Contract Extension Should Be Celtics’ Priority amid Latest NBA Rumors
For now, the Boston Celtics are focused on battling for first place East, the upcoming postseason, and hopefully another trip to the NBA Finals. In a few months, however, Boston will be tasked with holding together a championship-caliber roster for the long term.
The Celtics’ top priority this offseason must be working out a contract extension for star guard Jaylen Brown. While Brown isn’t eligible for the unrestricted free hand until 2024, teams are reportedly already circling the talented 26-year-old as a 2024 target.
In a recent article, Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney reported that several teams will be joining Brown when he becomes available next summer:
“League executives acknowledged that 2024-cap ranked opposing teams had Brown circled as a potential target – ‘We certainly have him pinned,’ one told Heavy Sports. “But probably half the league does.”
According to Deveney, the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks are all considered possible candidates for Brown – although, as the anonymous source noted, there will be no shortage of interested teams.
Atlanta could be a particularly strong contender, according to Denevey. The Hawks could use another star to pair up with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, and some believe they are laying the groundwork for a big takeover to come.
“One reason the Hawks are trying to offload [John] Collins should get that cap spot and be able to add someone, another star, in Trae,” an unnamed manager said, according to Denevey.
It’s probably worth noting that Brown is from Atlanta and still lives there.
Depending on how things play out for Boston this year and next, Brown might be inclined to seek a new free-hand situation when he gets there. Boston can’t afford to let that happen.
The two-time All-Star is great alongside Jayson Tatum and does many things that complement the Celtics roster. He can penetrate, bounce back and play solid defense if he wants to — although that end of the court hasn’t been a strong area for Boston this season. It’s a decent perimeter shooter, and it can score big.
To keep Brown from getting the free hand, Boston’s best course of action would be to sign him an extension this offseason — although that may not be easy and it certainly won’t come cheap.
Brown is eligible for a four-year veteran extension this summer that would be worth at least $165.2 million over four years (with Spotrac’s Keith Smith). However, Brown could be eligible for a five-year Designated Veteran Extension worth $290.3 million if he is named to the All-NBA team this year.
That’s a roughly $15 million difference per season, and if Brown qualifies for the latter deal, it’s hard to imagine him passing it on while he’s still committed to Boston. Whatever it’s worth, he has yet to commit to anything beyond this season.
“I’m just enjoying the time you have now,” Brown said, according to The Ringer’s Logan Murdock. “If it’s your whole career, it’s your whole career. If not, it isn’t.”
If Brown doesn’t qualify for the five-year extension, he could have financial reason not to sign a 2023 extension. Brown could bet on himself in 2023 trying to earn the right to the Designated Veteran Contract, which would be the same $290.3 million deal. To do so, he would need to be named NBA MVP, NBA Defensive Player of the Year, or All-NBA Team.
If Brown bets on himself and doesn’t concede, he’ll go into the free hand where teams like Atlanta, Milwaukee and Golden State are waiting to pitch.
Boston can’t let things get that far and should do whatever it takes to sell Brown for their Celtic’s future this off-season. If they exhaust all options and still can’t reach an agreement this offseason, then – and only then – could the Celtics start considering Brown as a potential trade-chip ahead of 2024 free agency.
But if the Celtics want to continue to aim for championships, it’s best to make sure Brown’s next big contract comes from Boston and comes this offseason.
*Contract information about Spotrac