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Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown has had quite the 2022-23 NBA season.
On one hand, Brown averaged a career-high 26.6 points per game and made his second NBA All-Star appearance, leading the Celtics to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference in the process.
On the other, Brown was the subject of trade talks prior to the season even beginning and the 26-year-old was clearly unsettled by the rumors.
That led to questions about Brown’s future in Boston. The former No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft has just one year remaining on his rookie max extension with the Celtics.
Here’s what Brown had to say about situation in an interview with Logan Murdock of The Ringer:
“I don’t know. As long as I’m needed. It’s not up to me. We’ll see how they feel about me over time and I feel about them over time. Hopefully, whatever it is, it makes sense. But I will stay where I’m wanted. I will stay where I’m needed and treated correct.”
Now, I’m not going to speak for Jaylen Brown. But that doesn’t exactly sound like a player that’s all-in on remaining in Boston long-term.
We got a little more clarification on the situation recently when Bill Simmons sat down with ESPN NBA analyst Brian Windhorst for an episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast.”
“If Jaylen gets voted All-NBA he’s going to stay a Celtic. If Jaylen doesn’t get voted All-NBA he’s going to be a free agent,” Windhorst said of the situation.
Should Brown make an All-NBA team, he’d be eligible for a five-year super max extension with Boston. But if not, he could get the same amount anywhere on the market.
It appears that Brown is happy to stay in Boston, but only if the Celtics are the top bidder.
Boston fans may want to hope real hard that Brown makes one of those three teams. Though in all likelihood he’s going to do so.