According to Sam Amick and Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics don’t have any “internal issues.”
“A team source reiterated as much, indicating that there were no internal issues between the two sides,” Amick and Nehm wrote. “A league source close to Brown shared a similar message.”
Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady said on his podcast that Brown was experiencing frustration that “lies deeply in the organization.”
However, Brown stated on his Twitch stream that he loves playing for the Celtics.
“I hate that our president of basketball operations even had to respond to this,” Brown said. “Me and Brad have a great relationship. I love Boston. And if it was up to me, I could play in Boston for the next 10 years.”
Brown is eligible for a two-year, $142 million extension in July. The 2024 Finals MVP has three seasons left on his current deal and a combined $183 million.
One of the top players in the NBA, Brown raised eyebrows when he said this season was his favorite season of his career. The Celtics went 56-26 and were the No. 2 seed in the East despite playing much of the season without Jayson Tatum.
“You got to see all of these guys, all of my teammates, grow,” Brown said. “I got to see them overcome adversity as a group, up close and personal. … Obviously, we’re not satisfied with the result. If it sounds like an excuse, it’s not. But to fight and maneuver through adversity and grow, and galvanize with a bunch of guys and to have that mindset and approach, this was my favorite year. I wouldn’t say by far. By far would be a stretch because obviously winning the championship is great. But I’m telling y’all, this was my favorite season.”
Brown averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game in the regular season. The five-time All-Star put up 25.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs, a series the Celtics lost in seven games after taking a 3-1 lead.
The 29-year-old Brown has career averages of 20.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game with the Celtics. He will most likely be back in Boston next season.
