The Boston Celtics are entering an offseason full of uncertainty after their second-round loss to the New York Knicks. Jayson Tatum's recovery timeline is unknown, the team has to cut costs to get below the second-apron, and new ownership will be at the forefront of it all.
One thing Celtics fans do know is that the team won't look the same in a month, after the NBA Draft and during the free agency period. Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday are two players that are likely getting traded due to hefty contracts, age and injury history. As the Thunder and Pacers currently fight for a championship, fanbases of eliminated teams have their opinions of a dream offseason for their squads.
Along with Porzingis and Holiday, Jaylen Brown has been a trade candidate circulating around NBA media as of late. Trades to the Rockets and Spurs have been mocked, in which the young West contenders would acquire Brown while giving the Celtics young talent (players like Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Devin Vassell) in return.
A recent development from ESPN's Shams Charania may have toned down those Brown trade rumors for now, as the Celtics star just underwent surgery on his right knee.
Jaylen Brown's Surgery Should Shut Down Trade Rumors (For Now)
Brown battled what was tabbed as a "right knee impingement" for the latter half of the regular season and into the Celtics playoff run. "JB" would battle through it and started all 11 games of both postseason series against the Magic and Knicks, while Tatum, Holiday, Porzingis and Hauser missed time with their own injuries and ailments.
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is expected to be ready for 2025-26 training camp.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 11, 2025
If there was any doubt that the Celtics would move on from their four time All-Star, there should be even more now. Brown's value in the trade market may have taken a hit due to his recent surgery, but all signs point to him being ready for training camp in early October.
Brown saw a career-low field goal percentage in the playoffs (44.1%) and lowest points per game total in the playoffs since 2020 (22.1), as the knee injury clearly affected him throughout the postseason.
There will be a ton of movement up and down this Celtics roster throughout the offseason as everyone should know by now. With that said, potential trade partners may be hesitant to inquire about Brown, knowing the status of his surgery, and that he's due north of $53 million for the next four seasons. While Shams stated that Brown should be ready for training camp, it isn't known if the Celtics wing will be 100% by then.
This injury news further reiterates the point that Brown is here to stay and teams will shift their focus mainly to Porzingis and Holiday in terms of trade candidates. While both have their own setbacks in Holiday's age and Porzingis' injury history, they have both proven to be valuable pieces on a championship winning roster.
We have already seen mock trades made for Holiday to the Mavericks and Clippers, both realistic destinations for the veteran guard, but Porzingis' trade value certainly took a hit during the postseason as he battled a mystery illness on top of previous ankle issues.
No matter what moves they make regarding Porzingis and Holiday, Brown is set to be the Celtics' leader and number one option next season for the first time in his career. He will look to guide the Celtics back to the playoffs without Tatum in an Eastern Conference that is wide open before the offseason frenzy begins.
Trading Brown out of Boston would be a mistake, given he's one of the best second options in the league, complementing Jayson Tatum perfectly on both ends of the floor as the two young stars have matured to star levels in Beantown together. Even with the surgery, Brown is still in the prime years of his career on a long-term contract.
Celtics fans' first real look at offseason changes will come from June 25th-26th during the NBA Draft in Brooklyn. Currently holding the No. 28 and 32nd selections, Brad Stevens should be targeting a big man with one of those picks.