Celtics signal willingness to trade Brown as Bucks explore Herro market
Boston prepares for potential bidding war for 2024 Finals MVP, while Milwaukee seeks to stockpile assets following blockbuster deal.
The NBA landscape has shifted dramatically following the agreement to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat. While the deal is scheduled to be finalised on July 6, the move has already triggered significant roster realignment discussions across the league. The Boston Celtics have signalled a willingness to trade Jaylen Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst predicts a bidding war for the star forward this summer.
Brown’s availability comes after a season where he carried the offensive load for Boston. With teammate Jayson Tatum playing only 16 regular-season games due to injury, Brown led the Celtics to a No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite this performance, Boston crashed out in the first round of the playoffs. Brown previously described that season as his favourite of his career, a sentiment that has coincided with reports that he has long considered being the primary franchise player on a team.
Windhorst stated that Brown is accepting the Celtics’ stance as an opportunity to turn the page in his career. The reporter noted that a trade involving Brown could happen immediately if a draft pick is included in the package. This development follows previous trade talks between Boston and Milwaukee, which the Bucks rejected, likely due to concerns about Brown’s potential desire to leave in the future.
Concurrently, the Milwaukee Bucks are exploring options to further stockpile draft assets. In the Antetokounmpo deal, Milwaukee received Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Naji Marshall, and three draft picks from the Heat. However, the franchise remains open to listening to trade offers for Herro, with the Detroit Pistons reportedly among the interested parties.
Herro, 26, is expected to have a robust trade market due to his age and All-Star status. Under the current framework, Herro is heading to his hometown team, the Miami Heat, to pair with Bam Adebayo. The Bucks’ interest in moving Herro mirrors their previous caution regarding Brown, as the franchise seeks to avoid future instability while maximising the return on its assets.
