Brilliant last season to help the Celtics reach the NBA Finals, Jaylen Brown had a turbulent summer with persistent rumors surrounding a trade with Kevin Durant. What offend the back or motivate him even more to make himself indispensable in his franchise?
Key member of an NBA finalist and announced on the departure a few weeks later? This is a scenario that is rather rare in the microcosm of the Great League. However, this is what Jaylen Brown experienced this summer. Co-leader of the Boston group which reached the Finals last June, the back probably thought he was having a quiet offseason. And then the bombshell Kevin Durant arrived. Candidate at the start, the star of the Nets immediately became a target of choice for many franchises. Ready to seize this opportunity, the Celtics had also entered the dance with a package around Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and draft rounds. Not enough to make Sean Marks flinch but proof that the Jay Brother was not untouchable on the side of Boston. A message received five out of five by the main interested party but not necessarily with a big smile.
Smh
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 25, 2022
Inevitably, the reporters were eager to ask the question to Brown during the Media Day of the Celtics. How did he experience this period? How does it feel to know that you can be sent away despite the great recent achievements? Does he want his frankness? The words of the Jay Brother are transcribed by Justin Leger of NBC sports Boston.
“I spoke to my teammates, I spoke to the owners, to the members of the organization, etc. I’ll keep these conversations between us. All I can say is now that I’m here, I’m ready to play basketball. I’m in great shape. Probably in the best shape of my life. I can’t wait to start the season. Things didn’t go the way we wanted, but that’s life sometimes. So we have to do our best and do what we have to do. »
There is therefore no danger in the remains on the Boston side, even if one suspects that the player did not necessarily appreciate being concerned by the trade rumors. For Jared Weiss, who covers the Celtics for The Athletic, the fact that the target is Kevin Durant attenuates a little the drama that might have existed between the player and his team since it is obvious that such an opportunity is extremely rare and that it would have been necessary to sacrifice heavy to make him come. The insider confided in this subject for HoopsHype on October 6th.
“I think Jaylen understands that it’s KD and the only player they were considering a trade for. [le concernant, ndlr] was Durant. It’s not like it’s a Donovan Mitchell situation. Jayson Tatum is untouchable and Jaylen is not, and he knows it. »
Not untouchable, we come back to this term once more, and it is a status that Brown would undoubtedly like to change on the side of Boston. For that, we will have to confirm the good performances in pre-season and perhaps even reach a new level among the greens. We often forget him but he is only 25 years old and he still has plenty of room for improvement. Defensively, it’s very solid, offensively we will have to try to be a bit more regular. Do not slam 45 points one evening in Kobe Bryant mode and only 15 points at 5/15 the next day. There were a lot of doubts regarding his duo with Jayson Tatum in recent years and the Jay Brothers were able to dispel a lot of them by reaching the NBA Finals but the question now is whether they can lead Boston to the top of the league. the pyramid. This goes through a Jayson Tatum who confirms his MVP form for the second half of the season but also an intractable Jaylen Brown on both sides of the field. The reward will be found. From 1, no longer end up in rumors. From 2, to seek a friendly extension at the end of the next season. We are talking regarding a potential deal of 165 million over 4 years. This is a very good motivation.
Despite her springtime prowess and pivotal role in Boston, Jaylen Brown might have packed her bags this summer. Proof that the Jay Brother still has a step to take to become truly indispensable on the Beantown side. And if he passes the course in 2023?
