The Boston Celtics are contemplating trading star shooting guard Jaylen Brown as they attempt to manage their expensive payroll, despite his massive $304 million contract. Interest from multiple NBA teams in acquiring Brown has reportedly surfaced amid the Celtics’ efforts to balance their salary cap.
After moving Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to create cap space, Boston is eyeing further adjustments to accommodate inflated contracts that include both Brown and Jayson Tatum. According to Shams Charania, several teams remain eager to pursue the former Finals MVP despite the challenging financial commitment.
“For sure, the contract is steep, I understand it. But listen, there are teams in today’s NBA, especially in the Eastern Conference, and now we’re seeing it in the Western Conference, too; it’s an arms race,” Charania said via The Stephen A. Smith Show. (5:55 onwards)
—Shams Charania, NBA Insider
Potential NBA Teams for Jaylen Brown Despite High Salary
The Phoenix Suns stand out as a strong potential destination for Jaylen Brown following Kevin Durant’s departure to the Houston Rockets. A proposed swap involving Bradley Beal could be feasible since Beal carries a similar cap hit of approximately $53.6 million for the 2025-26 season. Adding Jalen Green to the Suns would help compensate for the shift. Beal might even waive his no-trade clause to join the Celtics, contributing to their roster depth after Jrue Holiday’s exit.
However, the Suns face cap restrictions that complicate direct trade negotiations, and Boston would likely demand additional assets given Beal’s age, making the deal complex on paper.
The Miami Heat also present a logical fit as they seek a star-level player to replace Jimmy Butler. Brown’s ability to complement Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro offers Miami a potential boost. Yet, Miami would need to build a trade package involving either Herro or a combination of Terry Rozier, Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson, and future draft picks. Robinson’s early termination option on his contract could ease salary cap hurdles, but giving up multiple assets for a high-cost contract remains a challenge.
The Oklahoma City Thunder represent another possibility, as they could swap Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort—key players in their recent championship run—for Jaylen Brown. Together, Hartenstein and Dort total roughly $53.1 million in salary, compared to Brown’s $46.7 million. The Thunder’s two first-round picks in 2025 could also facilitate drafting a center, such as Khaman Maluach, to further strengthen their roster after the trade.
Among teams with ample cap space, the Brooklyn Nets emerge as prime candidates to accommodate Brown’s contract. Projected to have $44-64 million in available cap space, the Nets could make Brown a focal point of their team. In exchange, the Celtics could receive Cameron Johnson, whose $21 million salary is manageable and close in age to Brown. This swap would allow the Nets to gain a bonafide star while helping Boston stabilize their salary structure.
After missing out on Kevin Durant, the San Antonio Spurs could look to acquire Brown while building around young cornerstone Victor Wembanyama. With roughly $49 million in salary cap space, the Spurs could absorb Brown by trading away Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes. This combination would help Boston reduce contract size and enable San Antonio to construct a formidable trio featuring Fox, Wembanyama, and Brown. Additionally, the Spurs’ second pick in the 2025 draft provides flexibility to replace either Johnson or Barnes.
Impact of a Jaylen Brown Trade on the Celtics and Other Teams
Trading Jaylen Brown would significantly alter Boston’s roster and financial outlook. The Celtics currently face pressure to resolve contract imbalances involving both Brown and Tatum to remain competitive under the salary cap. Letting Brown go could free up necessary space, especially after shedding Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis.
For teams acquiring Brown, the challenges involve fitting his large contract into their payroll while ensuring roster balance. The pursuit of Brown reflects the ongoing competitive “arms race” in today’s NBA, where franchises are willing to take significant financial risks to secure elite talent.
Should any of these moves materialize, they will affect team dynamics in the Eastern and Western Conferences, potentially reshaping playoff outcomes. Teams like the Nets, Suns, and Spurs could instantly bolster their championship aspirations, while Miami and Oklahoma City look to establish stronger cores around existing star players.
With the NBA draft and trade season approaching, attention will remain on Boston’s next moves, as markets for Jaylen Brown continue to develop despite the hefty $304 million contract attached to him. As Shams Charania noted, the league is witnessing an escalation in player acquisitions that increasingly tests financial and roster flexibility.