The Boston Celtics have dominated trade conversations since the end of the 2024-25 season. And because they recently moved center Kristaps Porzingis and guard Jrue Holiday, two key members of their 2024 championship core, numerous teams across the league have reportedly been calling about the availability of two other Cs: Jaylen Brown and Derrick White
Their phone lines are still ringing on Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. … Teams are calling right now feverishly, trying to get their hands on one of these two guys.”
Shams Charania on the current state of the Celtics roster 🗣️
(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/p3HxP0oxRZ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 25, 2025
Despite the fact that most reports have clarified that the Celtics would prefer not to lose Brown and White, the NBA rumor mill hasn't stopped. However, perhaps Brad Stevens' comments from a Wednesday evening presser will change that.
Following the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Celtics' President of Basketball Operations sat down to speak with the media just minutes before midnight. Even though he didn't want to delve into trade talk details, the de facto general manager referred to Brown and White — and a few other C's — as integral parts of the Celtics' “foundation.”
“We'll do our best to put the right group together,” Stevens said of the future roster. “We've got the foundation, obviously, with Jaylen and Jayson [Tatum] and D-White and Payton [Pritchard] and all those guys that a lot of teams would love to have.”
Brad Stevens mentioned Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard when talking about the “foundation” of the Celtics:
“A lot of teams would love to have [that foundation].” pic.twitter.com/L8l0PA5EI9
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) June 26, 2025
Why Brad Stevens' “foundational guys” could survive a busy offseason
Celtics star Jayson Tatum is perhaps the only Green Teamer who's largely avoided trade rumors. It's no secret that Boston wants to duck under the second apron and shed salary this summer, and although the six-time All-Star is set to earn around $54 million next season, he's the cornerstone of the franchise in the eyes of the front office.
Brown, the longest-tenured Celtic, hasn't been immune to trade chatter. Yet, it doesn't seem like Stevens is seriously considering any of the offers he's heard for the 2024 NBA Finals MVP. In fact, the coach-turned-GM emphasized the importance of letting Brown recover from a partial meniscus tear so he can return to action in time for training camp and carry the load while Tatum sits for longer due to an Achilles injury.
