There are moments in a franchise’s history where the pursuit of sustained dominance collides with the harsh reality of financial ceilings, aging timelines, and shifting roster needs. That moment might be arriving faster than expected in Boston. The Celtics, fresh off a triumphant run that saw them crowned 2024-25 NBA champions and Jaylen Brown earning the Finals MVP, are now staring down the prospect of a seismic shift that could alter the fabric of their dynastic ambitions. According to multiple sources with knowledge of the team’s internal deliberations, Boston is seriously contemplating cutting ties with Brown, despite the $285 million supermax extension he signed just last summer. The potential move isn’t about regrets or disappointments—rather, it’s a forward-looking recalibration aimed at securing the franchise’s flexibility for the years ahead.
Brown’s rise to NBA Finals MVP was nothing short of poetic justice for a player who, for much of his career, operated in the large shadow of co-star Jayson Tatum. His aggressive drives, improved playmaking, and lockdown perimeter defense helped neutralize Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving in the Finals, earning him the kind of validation that no All-Star selection ever could. And yet, in a twist of organizational cold logic that only championship-caliber franchises must contend with, that very rise could be what prices him out of Boston’s long-term plans.
The Celtics are approaching a fork in the road. They’ve committed to Tatum as the cornerstone of their future and will likely extend him next summer with another supermax deal that could eclipse Brown’s record-setting contract. Kristaps Porziņģis, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday also account for a considerable chunk of Boston’s payroll, making them one of the most financially inflexible teams in the NBA. That isn’t just an issue for years down the road—it’s already affecting Boston’s ability to upgrade bench depth, avoid punitive second apron penalties, and navigate future roster-building with any degree of creativity.
Enter the Los Angeles Lakers and their intriguing backcourt piece: Austin Reaves.
Reaves, the undrafted Arkansas-native turned Lakers star, has blossomed into far more than a role player. His cerebral approach to the game, high basketball IQ, off-ball movement, and clutch shooting have earned him the trust of stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. At 6-foot-5, Reaves offers versatility on both ends of the court, and perhaps more importantly, he’s still on a team-friendly contract by modern standards. Multiple league executives believe Boston is exploring ways to acquire Reaves in a package that would not only bring in a younger, more cost-controlled asset but would also allow them to pivot stylistically as the NBA continues to shift toward positional fluidity and perimeter spacing.
The conversation doesn’t begin and end with a one-for-one trade scenario—far from it. Any deal involving Jaylen Brown and Austin Reaves would need to account for significant salary balancing, potential draft assets, and possibly even the involvement of a third team. But make no mistake: Boston’s front office, led by President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, has built a reputation for pragmatism that borders on ruthlessness. If Stevens believes that moving Brown now, when his value has never been higher, can yield a better two-to-three-year window for Tatum and the Celtics, he will not hesitate.
Reaves is widely admired around the league, not only for his on-court production but also for his adaptability. He can initiate the offense, function as a secondary ball-handler, and serve as a spot-up shooter—all skills that would dovetail nicely next to Tatum, who has gradually taken on more of a point-forward role. Reaves also doesn’t demand high usage to be effective, a stark contrast to the occasionally ball-dominant style of Brown. With White and Holiday able to pick up the defensive slack, Boston could conceivably shift toward a more motion-based, egalitarian offense that leverages their depth and intelligence rather than brute individual scoring.
For the Lakers, acquiring Jaylen Brown would represent a major shakeup in their attempt to bridge the present with the future. LeBron James is entering the twilight of his career, and the front office, led by Rob Pelinka, has made no secret of its desire to secure another All-Star caliber piece to lighten the load on both ends of the floor. Brown fits that bill. At 27, he is just entering his prime and offers a physicality and explosiveness that could rejuvenate a Lakers offense that at times stagnated in the playoffs. He’d immediately slot in as the second scoring option behind Davis—perhaps even the first on certain nights—and bring a defensive presence the Lakers sorely need on the wing.
Of course, the risks are evident. For Boston, parting ways with a Finals MVP so soon after a title could fracture locker room chemistry and invite intense scrutiny from fans and media alike. Brown has long been a pillar of the team’s identity, a player who has evolved from promising rookie to respected veteran. His leadership, resilience, and relentless work ethic have served as cultural cornerstones in Boston. Losing him would be as emotional as it would be strategic.
On the Lakers’ side, there’s no guarantee Brown would re-sign once his contract expires if he’s unhappy with the team’s direction. Even with his current deal, trading for a player of Brown’s magnitude would all but empty the Lakers’ remaining draft capital, tying their hopes to a narrow window that depends on health, chemistry, and a very tight Western Conference race.
Still, the appeal is hard to ignore for both sides. Boston would receive a player in Reaves who’s on the upswing, offers cap relief, and can be paired with Tatum for years to come. They could also receive multiple first-round picks from Los Angeles, future swaps, and potentially an additional young piece like Max Christie or Jalen Hood-Schifino. The flexibility that such a package offers might be enough to justify moving off Brown’s massive contract. It’s a difficult decision, but one that could extend Boston’s championship window into the 2030s.
Behind the scenes, Boston’s locker room has reportedly remained professional, but not immune to the trade chatter. Brown, who has experienced trade rumors for most of his career—from Kevin Durant packages to Anthony Davis rumors—knows the business side of the league as well as anyone. However, the emotional weight of potentially being moved after the highest moment of his career cannot be overstated. Sources close to Brown say he remains focused and committed to Boston’s repeat hopes but is privately aware that this offseason may test loyalties on both sides.
Tatum’s opinion, while not the final say in personnel decisions, will no doubt carry considerable weight. The All-NBA forward has formed a deep bond with Brown, and the pair have publicly stated their desire to win multiple championships together. Breaking up that duo—especially after finally reaching the summit—would send a shockwave through the fan base. Yet history shows that even the strongest partnerships must eventually be evaluated through the lens of fit, financial viability, and future planning.
Should Boston ultimately pull the trigger on this move, they’d be sending a loud message: championships are earned with cold calculation as much as with talent and heart. In Reaves, they’d acquire a high-IQ guard capable of flourishing in high-stakes games. In the return package, they might regain long-term roster balance and draft equity they haven’t had since unloading their treasure chest for Holiday and Porziņģis. Most importantly, they’d regain the flexibility needed to surround Tatum with the kind of sustainable, evolving support system that could withstand injuries, age, and the NBA’s ever-changing landscape.
The Celtics have been here before. Trading away franchise heroes is nothing new in Boston. From Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Isaiah Thomas and even Kemba Walker, the team has routinely prioritized winning above sentimentality. Stevens and his staff will not allow a Finals MVP trophy to blur their vision if they believe another path offers more consistent contention.
In the end, whether Boston decides to keep riding with Jaylen Brown or pivot toward a future with Austin Reaves and more flexibility, one thing is clear: the Celtics are not content with just one title. They are chasing something bigger—a dynasty. And sometimes, chasing a dynasty requires doing the unthinkable. Even if it means saying goodbye to the man who helped make Banner 18 possible.
