Source: Celtics ‘Never Came Close’ To Trading Jaylen Brown, Derrick White

The Boston Celtics traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers and Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks to get under the second apron. Several NBA teams tried to trade for Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, but the Celtics “never came close” to dealing either player, a source told Hoops Wire. 

Brown, who won the 2024 Finals MVP Award, will make $53.1 million next season. The small forward averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists last season while shooting 46.3% from the field, 32.4% from beyond the arc and 76.4% from the free-throw line.

A four-time All-Star, Brown underwent right knee surgery after the 2025 playoffs. He will be ready for training camp. 

White will make $28.1 million next season. He averaged 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.1 blocks last season while shooting 44.2% overall, 38.4% from 3 and 83.9% from the foul line. 

Brown has spent his entire career with Boston, while White has played for the San Antonio Spurs and Celtics. 

Boston lost to the New York Knicks in the conference semifinals last season after winning the 2024 championship against the Dallas Mavericks.

Superstar forward Jayson Tatum could miss all of next season recovering from his right Achilles tendon tear, so the Celtics may not be a title contender. 

The Celtics got Anfernee Simons from Portland and Georges Niang from Atlanta. Boston is looking to trade Simons, who will make $27.7 million next season in the final year of his contract.

Veteran big man Al Horford will not return to the Celtics. The Florida product is an unrestricted free agent and has been heavily linked to the Golden State Warriors. 

The 39-year-old Horford could also retire from the NBA. 

Boston expects to be a championship contender again in 2026-27 when Tatum is back in the lineup next to Brown and White. The Celtics will probably make the playoffs next season, but without Tatum, it’s hard to see them competing for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.