Stephen A. Smith Sends Stern Warning to Celtics Amid Trade Rumors

The Boston Celtics have started off the NBA offseason with two major trades. As expected, the team is looking to cut costs under new ownership.

Jrue Holiday was the first domino to fall, being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in a deal that brought Anfernee Simons back to the Celtics. After that move, Kristaps Porzingis was shipped out of town to the Atlanta Hawks.

With two major trades already being made, is Boston done? The rumors have continued to persist.

Now, the Celtics are being rumored to be receiving a lot of trade calls on both Derrick White and Jaylen Brown. Both players would command a hefty price tag, but there have been no reports yet about Boston shutting those trade overtures down.

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Leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft, which begins on Wednesday night, the Celtics are going to be a team to watch very closely.

Stephen A. Smith took some time on “First Take” to talk about Boston. He sent a very stern warning to the Celtics about the rumors surrounding Brown.

“Find out what he is and what he’s made of,” Smith said of Brown. “Let him show you. I think Jaylen Brown is looking forward to that challenge.”

Of course, Boston will be headed into a 2025-26 NBA season that is unlikely to feature Jayson Tatum. He is expected to miss the entire season after suffering a torn Achilles during the team’s second round playoff series against the New York Knicks.

Brown has been a great No. 2 option behind Tatum during his tenure with the Celtics. He had another good season in 2024-25, although he did deal with a knee issue that nagged him for quite some time.

In the 63 games he played during the regular season, Brown averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 46.3 percent from the floor and 32.4 percent from three-point range. There are many who believe that he could take over the No. 1 option role from Tatum next season.

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At 28 years old, Brown is in his prime. His trade value is at an all-time high.

Boston will have to make a decision on what it wants the future to look like. If the Celtics want to re-tool around Tatum with a long-term outlook, trading him could make sense. But, it would be a major gamble to give up a player with Brown’s ability.

Only time will tell, but the NBA rumor mill is working overtime ahead of the draft. Right now, Boston is very heavily involved in those rumors.

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