Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown hasn’t closed the door on one day playing for his hometown Atlanta Hawks, though for now his focus remains on carrying a reshaped Celtics team into a challenging new season.
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 replied.
When host Darian “Big Tigger” Morgan said he would love to see him in a Hawks uniform, Brown smiled and added: “I think my grandma would too … you never know, we’ll see.”
The comments fueled speculation about Brown’s long-term future but also highlighted his deep ties to Atlanta. Still, the Celtics have made clear they view him as an essential part of their plans.
Celtics Shutting Down Trade Rumors
Despite a transition in ownership and the dismantling of much of Boston’s 2024 championship roster, team executives insist Brown isn’t going anywhere.
Celtics vice president of basketball operations Mike Zarren dismissed rumors this offseason that Brown or teammate Derrick White could be dealt.
“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. “Those guys are key parts of our team, and we’re lucky to have them here.”
Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals last season. Now 28, he enters the second year of his five-year, $304 million supermax extension, making him one of the highest-paid players in league history.
His responsibilities will only grow with co-star Jayson Tatum sidelined by an Achilles injury and the departures of Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Luke Kornet. The Celtics, who claimed their record 18th title in 2024, are bracing for what many expect to be a gap year.
Hawks Weighing Their Own Future
While Brown is entrenched in Boston, his hometown Hawks face uncertainty around their own franchise centerpiece.
Trae Young, a four-time All-Star, is eligible for a four-year, $228.6 million max extension. The Hawks, however, have yet to put an offer on the table, a delay that has left Young unsettled.
Marc Spears of Andscape reported in July that Young is “disappointed” by Atlanta’s lack of urgency. “What I’m hearing now … I think he’s disappointed that it hasn’t come, it hasn’t been offered,” Spears said.
Young has a $49 million player option for 2026-27, and without an extension he could emerge as one of the league’s biggest trade candidates.
Still, a potential Young-for-Brown swap is considered unrealistic. Boston remains committed to building around its two-wing core of Brown and Tatum, while Atlanta is heavily invested in rising forward Jalen Johnson. The 22-year-old averaged 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.6 steals before a shoulder injury ended his breakout season.
Spurs Monitoring Brown’s Status
If the Celtics ever reconsider their stance on Brown, rival teams are expected to circle quickly.
The San Antonio Spurs, who refrained from making a play for Kevin Durant this offseason, have long kept Brown and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo on their radar, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
“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,” Siegel reported in June.
Focus on Boston
For now, Brown’s future is tied to the Celtics, where he has emerged as both a franchise centerpiece and a leader through transition.
His comments about the Hawks underscored the emotional pull of home, but he has also made clear he takes pride in carrying Boston forward.
“I’m ready to go,” Brown said. “It’s a big season upcoming.”
As the Celtics reset after last year’s title run, their fortunes — and hopes of staying in contention — rest squarely on the shoulders of their Finals MVP.
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