It's All About The Extension
There's more to the Jaylen Brown discourse than just some comments on a livestream
Seven days.
That’s all it’s been since the Boston Celtics were eliminated from the postseason. It feels like weeks ago. That’s how much “drama” has been floating around about the team.
Well, not so much the team, more like Jaylen Brown.
In the space of seven days, we’ve had not one but two livestreams, a presser from Brad Stevens, and hours upon hours of speculation.
We, as Celtics fans, have been through a lot.
It all started with one of Brown’s first livestreams of the offseason.
“This group is a special group. I’m so proud of this group and the way we played,” Brown said. “I’m so proud, and it was my favorite year of my basketball career.”
Plenty has been said about that comment. Even more has been written. I chose to take a few days off to begin the postseason for planning purposes. So, i’ve watched a lot of this stuff from the sidelines.
I’ve seen the takes against what Brown said…You know, it’s funny how this is his favorite season when it coincides with Jayson Tatum being out with an Achilles injury. It's weird that his favorite season ended in surrendering a 3-1 lead to be eliminated in the first round — especially when he has a championship season under his belt.
I’ve seen the takes understanding what Brown said…He assumed a leadership role. He helped push a group of young guys to develop. There were no expectations or external pressures. He got to lead a team.
Then, Brown went back on a live, added context and doubled down.
“Y’all can clip this up: This was my favorite season of my career,” Brown said. “I will say it even louder. I’ll stand on it. I’ll triple down, quadruple down. Whatever y’all want me to say, chat. I’m coming on here to give context and talk about certain things. But I’m not really here to clear up no backlash.”
He didn’t stop there.
“You got to see all of these guys, all of my teammates, grow,” Brown added. “I got to see them overcome adversity as a group, up close and personal. Obviously, we’re not satisfied with the result. 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 season.”
Ok, this is fair. Talk yo talk JB.
But don’t be shocked when talking your talk leads to split opinions. Or, when those in the media who have used your partnership with Tatum as a tool to try to create friction re-emerge out of the woodwork.
The truth is, we don’t know the truth about Brown and Tatum’s relationship. Even those with locker room and practice access can’t claim to know that. They’re seeing both of them in a work setting. Of course, they’re going to be professional — it’s a trait we love about both of them.
However, we’ve heard from numerous people who have been part of the Celtics roster that Brown and Tatum genuinely get on. Just two months ago, Evan Turner was on the Celtics Chronicle podcast saying that exact thing.
“I think it’s funny ’cause I’ve seen it up close,” Turner said. “After the first few minutes when I was around ’em, I’m like, oh, these dudes don’t hate on it. Like, they like each other. They have ultimate respect for each other.”
Turner continued.
“ There was no negative, no side eye, no anything. They know who they are, they know where they’re going… Those dudes are elite, and I think as young individuals, young men, you just gotta let ’em sit back and cook and let them rock this generation.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m deferring to guys with experience of being with both Tatum and Brown behind the scenes, on long flights, with the team after big wins and tough losses. If they say these two get on, that’s all I need to hear.
The problem is, Brown’s comments were only part of the problem. We also had the Tracy McGrady of it all.
“His frustration lies deeply in the organization and other things that we really don’t have the details. It’s just a lot of stuff I’ve been hearing just going on with the Boston organization with JB,” McGrady said on his “Cousins” podcast. “I think part of him is like, ‘I showed you guys more of who I am as a basketball player not only what I did on the basketball court but the leadership I displayed within this team and you’ve seen that.’ Not having our best player in (Jayson Tatum). You’ve seen a different side of me and what I’m able to bring to the game of basketball. So, all that stuff just came into play with him and his frustration.”
Brown and Brad Stevens both addressed this. Both played it down. Stevens basically said, “Well, that’s news to me.” While Brown was like, “And if it was up to me, I could play in Boston for the next 10 years.”
A notable observation, which quite a few of us caught, was the choice to repeat “if it was up to me.” He must have said it three or four times.
The truth is, Brown has some say if he remains in Boston for the rest of his career, but he’s not the only one who can make a decision like that. Brad can also throw a similar curveball.
And that’s what leads us to the elephant in the room…Brown’s impending extension eligibility.
Brown will be eligible for a two-year $141.9 million contract extension this summer. That’s roughly $71 million per year. Based on this past season’s performance, that’s money well spent, right?
Not so fast.
Brown’s current contract runs until 2029. He’ll be 32 by the time that season ends. Any extension he signs won’t kick in until the 2029-30 season, when he’ll be turning 33.
Do you want to pay Jaylen Brown north of $70 million a year for his age 33 and 34 seasons?
That’s the decision Stevens has to make.
Not if Brown would be worth $70 million next year, but when he’s at the tail-end of his prime, three years away from now. This is the same Jaylen Brown who has been dealing with knee tendinopathy for years, by the way.
How Stevens answers that question will likely set up how things play out during the summer. Because, let’s face it, Brown’s trade value will likely never be higher than it is right now. Furthermore, he’s probably not going to take too kindly to not being given an extension after the season he just produced.
“If it was up to me.”
Sorry, JB, but this one isn’t up to you. However, how you choose to move forward, should the Celtics opt against extending you this season, is certainly in your control.
That’s why I’m sitting on the fence right now. The key variable in any and all Jaylen Brown trade and/or frustration discussions is what the Celtics decide to do regarding an extension.
If Boston extends him, Brown isn’t going anywhere — even next season. I mean, how many teams are going to want to trade for a 30-year-old with a contract that’s going to be paying him $70 million for the final two years of his deal? And even if they do want to trade for him, how are they making the money work?
An extension near guarantees Brown will be in the final stages of his career before he’s truly a trade or free agent target for any other team around the NBA.
Does he want that, though? Does Brown want five more years of being the 1B next to Tatum? Would he not prefer being the top option on a different roster, experiencing many of the things he found so much joy in this season?
I can’t answer that. Neither can you. And neither can the media.
That’s for Jaylen Brown to decide.
Of course, if the Celtics opt against extending his contract, the rumor mill is going to hit hyperdrive, and honestly, I think there will be at least a few embers to the smoke that will flood our timelines.
Suddenly, Brown will seem a lot more attainable.
Does that mean we’d see a deal to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo? Maybe. Maybe not.
Does that mean Boston could find itself receiving countless trade offers from around the league? I’d hazard a guess at the answer being ‘yes.’
Brown’s future in Boston has been a topic of discussion for years. Unfortunately, his recent comments, coupled with what T-Mac said (and how close he is with Brown), opened the floodgates for widespread speculation.
That speculation isn’t going away any time soon.
In fact, the only thing that will build a dam for that floodwater will be the extension itself.
After a career year for Brown, Boston finds itself with a tough decision to make. What it chooses to do will likely set up what we come to expect from the offseason.
One way or another, we should get some clarity in the coming months. Until then, buckle up, because I don’t think the past week’s turbulence is the only patch we’re going to hit — hopefully I’m wrong.