The Boston Celtics are listening as teams throw out trade offers for standout guards Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, reports ESPN's Shams Charania.
Both players are attached to significant contracts at a time when Boston is shedding salary to lower its luxury tax bill. The Celtics have already saved an estimated $180 million in tax penalties by trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers and Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks, getting beneath the second spending apron, per ESPN's Bobby Marks.
Brown has been a core piece for the Celtics, who drafted him third overall in 2016. The 28-year-old has made four All-Star teams and won the 2024 Finals MVP award after helping Boston win its first championship since 2008. Brown signed a five-year contract worth over $285 million after winning the title.
White has spent three-and-a-half seasons with the Celtics, who acquired him in a trade with the San Antonio Spurs. The 31-year-old has been one of their top role players, averaging a career-best 16.4 points per game this season. He's entering the first campaign of a four-year, $118-million extension.
Despite the recent selloff, Boston greatly values Brown and White and could wind up resisting trade overtures, according to Charania.
The Celtics face an uncertain road going into next season. They had the second-best record in the Eastern Conference this year but could miss top scorer Jayson Tatum for most - if not all - of the 2025-26 campaign as he recovers from a torn Achilles. Holiday and Porzingis were also integral components of their championship squad.
