The Minnesota Timberwolves explored acquiring Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown before ultimately trading for Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball. The Timberwolves decided Ball was a better fit for their roster and would require less compensation than Brown, according to The Athletic.
Minnesota acquired Ball and Josh Green in exchange for Naz Reid, one first-round draft pick, three first-round pick swaps, and three second-round picks. This move comes shortly after the Milwaukee Bucks chose a trade package from the Miami Heat, built around young players and draft picks, over an offer from the Celtics that reportedly included Brown.
The repeated inclusion of Brown in trade discussions raises questions about his future with the Celtics. Boston President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens offered a non-committal response when asked about Brown's status, stating, "Jaylen Brown is a big part of us. I don’t want to predict the future. I look at it as this is our team."
Brown had a strong performance in the past season, often serving as the Celtics' primary offensive option while Jayson Tatum was sidelined. He finished fourth in the NBA in scoring, averaging 28.7 points per game, and described it as his favorite season.
Despite these discussions, the Celtics may still explore trades involving Brown. Reports suggest Boston has a long-standing interest in Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, which could provide needed frontcourt depth. For the Cavaliers, acquiring Brown could offer another significant scoring threat to complement Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.