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NBA Rumors: Knicks’ star rival linked to Western Conference opponent
Depending on what happens during the offseason, the New York Knicks could finally make a trade for a star player. This time last year, Donovan Mitchell had already been labeled as the next disgruntled star that could want to be traded. This year, there are several players who could request a trade, but it’s still too early to tell.
Jaylen Brown has been identified as a player to watch. A recent interview with The Ringer raised many eyebrows because he was noncommittal about his future in Boston. Last summer, the Celtics were reportedly willing to include Brown in a trade package for Kevin Durant. When Brown was asked to clarify his comments, he said that he feels “great” but that “I can’t speculate on anything above what I’m doing right now.”
Boston is locked into the No. 2 seed in the East and will face the No. 7 seed that advances past the play-in tournament. Brown’s averaging a career-high 26.6 points, a career-high 6.9 rebounds, and a career-high 3.5 assists. After not being named an All-Star the last two seasons, Brown earned his second All-Star honor and represented the Celtics in Salt Lake City a couple of months ago.
Brown and Jayson Tatum led Boston to the NBA Finals last year, and Celtics fans hope that the same will happen again this year, but with a different outcome.
However, if Boston were to disappoint in the playoffs, the Jaylen Brown rumors will continue to heat up. One team in the Western Conference is reportedly prepared to make a run at Brown during the offseason.
Rockets reportedly plan to pursue Knicks’ division rival star Jaylen Brown
Not only did John Granato of Houston’s ESPN 97.5 say that the Rockets are interested in Jaylen Brown, but he mentioned that the Rockets are interested in bringing in Ime Udoka (Brown’s former coach in Boston), Frank Vogel, or Kenny Atkinson.
In The Ringer interview, Brown said that he would like to see Udoka get another opportunity elsewhere after a scandal suspended him for the entirety of the 2022-23 season. Joe Mazzulla stepped up as the Celtics’ interim coach, but he’s since been promoted to head coach. Udoka won’t be back in Boston.
If Brown makes an All-NBA Team this season, he’ll be eligible to sign a supermax this offseason. If that doesn’t happen, he’ll get a new contract during the 2024 offseason when he’ll become an unrestricted free agent. The Celtics would be crazy to want to move on from Brown, but if he wants out and is eligible for a supermax, the Rockets will be a team to watch. Houston has the cap space.
There’s no doubt that Jaylen Brown leaving Boston would be entertaining to Knicks fans. The Celtics would be left without their No. 2 option and would take a dip because of it, even with Tatum still on the roster.
