Hawks Trade Buzz: NBA Finals MVP Could Be Coming

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown left the door open to a potential move back home to Atlanta, though the 28-year-old forward remains firmly entrenched as a cornerstone of the Celtics.

Brown, who grew up in Marietta, Georgia, was asked during a recent radio appearance in Atlanta whether fans might eventually see him suit up for the Hawks.

“You never know,” Brown said. “…I feel you,” when radio host Darian “Big Tigger” Morgan said he’d love to see him in a Hawks uniform. “I think my grandma would too…you never know, we’ll see.”

Celtics in Transition

While Brown toyed with the possibility of returning to Atlanta, the Celtics are navigating a transitional period.

Co-star Jayson Tatum is sidelined with an Achilles injury, leaving Brown to carry a heavier load. The departures of Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Luke Kornet have further thrust Boston’s two-time NBA Finals MVP into a leadership role.

Brown averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals last season, continuing his run as one of the league’s premier two-way wings. A four-time All-Star, he is entering the second year of his five-year, $304 million supermax deal.

Celtics vice president of basketball operations Mike Zarren has repeatedly dismissed trade rumors involving Brown and teammate Derrick White.

“Those two guys are really, really great NBA players, and there hasn’t been anything close to serious about trading them,” Zarren told reporters in June. “I’m not sure where all this reporting came from, but those guys are key parts of our team, and we’re lucky to have them here.”

Hawks Roster Considerations

Brown’s primary position overlaps with rising Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, who posted a career-best 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game before a shoulder injury cut his season short.

Atlanta also faces a critical decision regarding franchise star Trae Young, who is eligible for a four-year, $228.6 million max extension but has yet to receive an offer. Young, a four-time All-Star, holds a $49 million player option for 2026-27 and could become a trade candidate if no extension is reached.

Brown’s Future and Hawks Fans

While a swap between Brown and Young is not on the table—Boston is heavily invested in both Brown and Tatum—the Celtics’ transitional year, compounded by Tatum’s Achilles setback, makes Brown a potential trade asset in the future. Hawks fans should note that Boston’s injury-driven lineup shift and financial considerations could create a window for Brown to eventually consider a return home.

Potential Hawks Rivals

Should Boston entertain offers for Brown, the San Antonio Spurs are widely regarded as the front-runner for his services. The Spurs, who preserved their assets during the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, have long monitored Brown’s status.

“Other than a potential trade for Giannis in the future, the Spurs have also monitored Jaylen Brown’s status with the Boston Celtics through the years,” ClutchPoint’s Brett Siegel reported in June. “Now that the Boston Celtics are primed to take a step back and are looking to cut costs, the 28-year-old Finals MVP is suddenly worth talking about.”

For now, Brown remains a Celtic, focused on helping Boston navigate a challenging season with Tatum sidelined and the team in transition. But Hawks fans can continue to dream of a hometown hero returning to Georgia, with both timing and opportunity potentially aligning in the future.

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