The Celtics “spent the entire weekend canvassing the league for Jaylen Brown trades,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said Monday morning on SportsCenter (video link). Boston is exploring the possibility of getting a third or fourth team involved to help facilitate some of the proposed deals, Charania adds.
He states that the Celtics have “set a really high bar” in their asking price for Brown, confirming that they’re seeking up to four first-round picks in exchange for the All-Star wing. Some rival teams that have talked to Charania are “having a hard time figuring out what Brown’s actual market is.” Many aren’t sure that a trade exists at the current price and speculate that Boston might have to settle for a deal “that might not look like a great return.”
Charania also states that Brown’s handling of the persistent trade rumors could be an important factor in determining the Celtics’ level of urgency to move him.
There are more rumors to pass along:
- Trade talks between the Clippers and Raptors involving Kawhi Leonard emerged because L.A. hasn’t made a long-term commitment to Leonard this offseason, Charania writes in an ESPN story. He states that Leonard’s representatives told other teams he’s only interested signing an extension with Toronto if the Clippers opt to deal him.
- The Heat have interest in reuniting Giannis Antetokounmpo with long-time teammate Khris Middleton, according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald (subscription required). Middleton will be a free agent after finishing this season with Dallas.
- Jordan Clarkson is “still a possibility” to return to the Knicks in free agency, even though the team wants to stay under the second apron, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. However, other moves could determine whether the Knicks are able to re-sign him.
- The Suns are hoping to extend forward Miles Bridges after acquiring him from Charlotte, tweets John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7. He states that the team is considering several shooting guards in free agency to replace Grayson Allen. Gambadoro adds that there’s “no chance” Phoenix will get involved in a trade for Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (Twitter link).
