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Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

A roundup of Boston Celtics rumors ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft

By Matt Dolloff
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Grant Williams of the Boston Celtics celebrate a play against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 6 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Even after making a big trade for Kristaps Porzingis that sent Marcus Smart to Memphis, the Boston Celtics continue to be heavily involved in various rumors ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft. Here’s what some of the top Celtics and NBA insiders are saying, with the draft approaching on Thursday night…

  • Jaylen Brown Trade?

    May 29, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts in the second quarter against the Miami Heat during game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

    Jaylen Brown (David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)

  • A big rumor emerged on Wednesday before the whole Porzingis/Smart/Malcolm Brogdon drama went down in Boston: according to “Ghost of Leroy” on Twitter, who sometimes has hit on major scoops across the major sports, said that Jaylen Brown “will be leaving the Boston Celtics via a sign and trade bark bark bark.”

    Leroy is a very good boy, but his scoop won’t be entirely accurate. Brown is still under contract, so he technically wouldn’t be a sign-and-trade, and if he signs the supermax with the Celtics they would have to wait a year before having the ability to trade him.

    That being said, perhaps Leroy is hearing about a regular ol’ trade, as Brown enters the final year of his contract with the C’s. But it feels more likely the Celtics go forward with him and offer the supermax, which we’ll get to below.

  • Grant Williams Sign-And-Trade?

    BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half at TD Garden on January 11, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

    Grant Williams (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

    As far as another trade, particularly a sign-and-trade, the more likely candidate to go is Grant Williams. Brian Robb of MassLive reported Thursday to “look for the Celtics to try to swing a sign-and-trade” involving Williams, whose return to Boston for next season “seems to be a long shot at this point barring another big move.” Jared Weiss of The Athletic also reported recently that over a half-dozen teams have asked the Celtics about a Williams sign-and-trade.

    With so many teams interested, it wouldn’t be shocking if such a deal happened during the draft on Thursday night.

  • ‘Far From Done’ Making Moves

    May 14, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens looks on before game seven of the 2023 NBA playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

    Brad Stevens (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

  • In his same report Thursday, Robb says a league source told him Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens is “far from done” making moves for the 2023-24 roster. That’s partly obvious, as the post-Smart C’s look like an incomplete roster. But we can at least expect more tweaks to the roster, possibly via trade.

  • The Future Of Tatum And Brown

    BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 10: Jaylen Brown #7 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics talk over a play in the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

    Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum (Elsa/Getty Images)

    According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports, the Celtics “intend to move forward with their All-NBA tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown,” as part of an explanation why the C’s weren’t in on Bradley Beal trade talks. So that flies in the face of any Brown trade rumors. But since we have all sides speculating on this, Brown’s status is and will remain the biggest question of the rest of the off-season.

  • ESPN’s Brian Windhorst also counted the Celtics out of the running for a Beal trade in a recent TV appearance. As part of that, he said the Celtics intend to get an extension done with Brown, rather than trade him. Brown is supermax-eligible, so he’s in line for five years and nearly $300 million.

  • Pacers In On Grant Williams?

    May 15, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams (12) celebrates after making a three point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of game seven of the second round of the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

    Grant Williams (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

    According to Fischer, the Indiana Pacers “are expected to be one team in the mix for restricted free agent Grant Williams as well.” So, don’t be surprised if they turn out to be Stevens’ trade partner – and maybe get familiar with some of their players.

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    Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

NEXT: What else we learned about the Celtics from the Marcus Smart trade drama

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