Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens insists Jaylen Brown remains a highly valued part of the franchise, despite recent reports suggesting the star forward was offered in a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Stevens addressed the media on Tuesday following the franchise’s selection of Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr in the NBA draft.
The 48-year-old executive sought to clarify the organisation’s stance after intense speculation surrounded their marquee player.
Reports emerged on Monday indicating the Celtics had offered the 29-year-old, alongside two first-round picks, to the Milwaukee Bucks.
‘A big part of us’
That proposed blockbuster deal ultimately failed to materialise, with the Bucks opting to send two-time MVP Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat instead.
While Stevens avoided discussing the specific trade proposal directly, he emphasised the enduring importance of their homegrown talent.
“Jaylen Brown is a big part of us,” Stevens said.
“I’m never going to predict the future. Every indication, every thing I think about, over the last few years, has been building around those guys.”
“But at the same time, the one thing I want to make very clear is how valued he’s always been.”
Navigating public noise
The Celtics hierarchy confirmed multiple private discussions have taken place this off-season with both the player and his representatives.
The former Boston head coach acknowledged the difficulty of navigating such public speculation for the five-time All-Star.
“With all the rumour mill and all that stuff, and his name being splashed all over the place, that’s not easy,” Stevens added.
The front office has actively tried to remain upfront and proactive during these candid conversations.
An uncertain future despite past success
The versatile forward recently concluded a phenomenal individual campaign, averaging career-high numbers of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.
Those impressive statistics earned the 2024 NBA Finals MVP a sixth-place finish in regular-season MVP voting and All-NBA Second Team honours.
However, team success faltered as Boston suffered a disappointing first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers.
That premature elimination marked the first time the Massachusetts-based franchise failed to advance past the opening round since 2021.
Despite his storied decade with the team, which includes an NBA championship and an unparalleled 83 playoff victories since 2017, the forward’s long-term future remains uncertain.
Subsequent reports indicate the organisation is still listening to external offers from rival teams as the off-season progresses.
Top basketball prospects, including Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybantsa, have arrived in Brooklyn showcasing bespoke fashion choices ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft.
The highly anticipated event begins on Tuesday with the first round taking place at the Barclays Center.
Before hearing their names called by commissioner Adam Silver, the next generation of talent offered hints of their personality on the red carpet.
Custom tailoring and bold accessories were the dominant themes of the night for the incoming rookies.
Boozer pays homage to James
Former Duke standout Cam Boozer made a significant sartorial statement by arriving in an all-white ensemble.
The striking look was an intentional tribute to the famous draft suit worn by LeBron James in 2003.
Meanwhile, highly-rated forward AJ Dybantsa dazzled onlookers as he made his entrance into the venue.
Yaxel Lendeborg, Darryn Peterson, and Caleb Wilson also commanded attention with their carefully curated evening wear.
Personal touches and historic milestones
Several young athletes used their attire to highlight their personal journeys and family heritage.
Nate Ament proudly displayed the Rwandan flag on the inside lining of his suit jacket.
“They mean so much to me and I’m proud to represent them on the inside of my jacket.”
Bennett Stirtz took a similarly sentimental route, with his garments featuring custom details mapping out his career progression.
Away from the red carpet fashion, history beckons for highly-touted prospect Karim López.
The versatile forward is on the verge of becoming the first Mexican-born player to be selected in the opening round of the draft.
Caitlin Clark scored 24 points and received a controversial fifth technical foul of the season as the Indiana Fever rallied to beat the Phoenix Mercury 86-77 on Monday night.
The standout guard expressed frustration after being penalised during a bad-tempered fourth quarter that featured six technicals overall.
Myisha Hines-Allen was ejected from the contest after picking up her second offence in the closing stages.
A player receives an automatic one-game suspension in the WNBA upon reaching their eighth technical foul of the campaign.
“We should all just go on the calendar now and pick a game that I’m gonna be suspended for if I’m gonna get technicals for clapping.”
Fever head coach Stephanie White acknowledged that her star point guard must show better emotional awareness moving forward.
“There are natural things that happen, that the energy of the game creates when you do get those, but there are some that we can be a little more in control of.”
Fever overturn disastrous opening quarter
Indiana looked destined for defeat early on after managing a dismal six points in the first period.
That low-scoring start tied the franchise record for their fewest points in any quarter since 2018.
However, the home side exploded for 35 points in the second quarter to tie the game at the half-time break.
The former Iowa Hawkeyes star drove that resurgence by dropping 15 points before the interval.
Kelsey Mitchell provided vital support with 22 points, while Monique Billings secured her first double-double of the year with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The victory arrested a two-game losing streak and improved Indiana’s regular-season record to 10-7.
Clark and Thomas set WNBA milestones
Despite the disciplinary drama, the dynamic playmaker continued her historic offensive production.
The 22-year-old has now recorded six consecutive games with at least 20 points and five assists, establishing a new WNBA record.
Phoenix slumped to a 5-12 record despite a strong 20-point showing from Kahleah Copper.
Veteran forward Alyssa Thomas contributed 19 points, five rebounds and nine assists for the struggling Mercury.
In doing so, she became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 500 assists with a single franchise.
The Detroit Red Wings are actively exploring trade options for captain Dylan Larkin ahead of Friday’s NHL Draft as franchises scramble to reshape their rosters before free agency opens on July 1.
The 2026 off-season is already proving to be intensely active following the Carolina Hurricanes’ recent Stanley Cup triumph.
General manager Steve Yzerman continues to navigate a complex situation as the Michigan-based franchise seeks a suitable trade partner for their talismanic forward.
The seasoned American reportedly prefers a move to a competitive United States-based organisation that is built to win immediately.
Panthers make Tkachuk splash
Two major deals have already reshaped the league landscape before the first round even begins.
The Toronto Maple Leafs secured negotiating rights for Darren Raddysh, promptly committing the defenceman to an eight-year contract.
Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers completed a blockbuster acquisition for Brady Tkachuk.
The ambitious Sunrise franchise parted with three first-round draft selections and a second-round pick to land the prized attacker.
This aggressive move leaves the Ottawa Senators aiming to flip those newly acquired draft assets into a proven top-six forward.
Hellebuyck seeks Winnipeg exit
Up in Canada, frustration is mounting for Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
The United States Olympic standout has expressed clear dissatisfaction with the current status quo in Manitoba.
Winnipeg executives are fielding active calls for the elite netminder, though Florida’s recent expenditure likely removes them from contention.
The Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina remain stealthy contenders for any major stars entering the trade market this week.
Sabres stall on Tuch extension
Contract negotiations between the Buffalo Sabres and Alex Tuch have currently reached an impasse.
The 30-year-old winger is highly coveted on the open market due to his rare combination of size, speed, and veteran experience.
Seattle Kraken executives are reportedly preparing a massive financial package to lure the impending free agent to the Pacific Northwest.
Buffalo is concurrently exploring trade possibilities for highly-rated defenceman Bowen Byram, who is actively seeking a premier role elsewhere.
Vegas Golden Knights majority owner Bill Foley has officially launched a bid to bring an NBA expansion franchise to Las Vegas.
The announcement follows a recent vote by the basketball league’s board of governors to explore new ownership groups exclusively in Nevada and Seattle.
Bidding for the new franchises is expected to generate staggering offers in the region of $7bn (£5.5bn) to $10bn (£7.9bn).
Building a sporting empire
Foley is already a prominent figure in global sports ownership.
The American billionaire’s portfolio includes Premier League side AFC Bournemouth alongside football clubs in France, Portugal and Australia.
Financial advisers Morgan Stanley have been retained by the 79-year-old to facilitate the monumental transaction.
His prospective ownership group is expected to include a limited number of strategic minority partners who align with the league’s long-term vision.
Ready for tip-off
“Las Vegas has earned its place among great sports cities in America, and an NBA team belongs here.”
“We built the Golden Knights into a championship organization from the ground up, and we are prepared to do it again. Our intention is to be ready the day the NBA is ready.”
Any future basketball franchise would likely play their home games at the T-Mobile Arena.
The 18,000-capacity venue on the Las Vegas Strip has already proven itself by hosting numerous collegiate and professional basketball fixtures.
A track record of success
The prospective bidding group will undoubtedly point to their remarkable achievements in ice hockey as proof of their sporting pedigree.
Since entering the NHL in 2017, the Golden Knights have reached the Stanley Cup Final three times, lifting the prestigious trophy in 2023.
Should this latest sporting venture prove successful, the ice hockey executive would become the seventh individual to simultaneously hold an NBA team.
Four-time NBA All-Star Trae Young has agreed a four-year contract worth approximately $212m (£167m) to remain with the Washington Wizards.
The lucrative agreement includes a player option for the final season, following his decision to decline a previous $49m clause on Monday.
This commitment signals a clear desire from the elite playmaker to anchor a rebuilding franchise in the American capital.
Building a new foundation
Representatives for the player finalised a deal that falls just short of the maximum extension Washington could have offered, but matches the highest figure he could secure on the open market.
The former Atlanta Hawk originally requested a trade exclusively to the Wizards in January and now seeks to elevate an emerging prospect pool.
Washington’s youthful core includes recent draft selections like Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George, with the franchise also holding the first overall pick in Tuesday’s NBA draft.
Overcoming injury setbacks
Last year proved to be a disjointed campaign for the dynamic point guard, who suffered a sprained right MCL in late October.
That injury sidelined him until mid-December, prompting the Hawks to shift their long-term focus toward rising forward Jalen Johnson.
Consequently, Atlanta traded their former talisman to Washington in early January in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
Following the mid-season switch, the elite distributor managed just five appearances for his new employers due to fitness issues, finishing the regular season with averages of 17.9 points and 8.0 assists.
A formidable new partnership
Wizards management acquired the prolific ball-handler to serve as the offensive quarterback for their developmental roster.
They anticipate that pairing him with fellow recent acquisition Anthony Davis will forge a powerful tandem capable of challenging for a playoff berth.
Speaking at the NBA draft lottery in May, Wizards general manager Will Dawkins expressed confidence in his new marquee players.
“The few games that Trae was able to play, you just saw the gravity that he has and he draws and how he’ll be able to free up our guys.”
Dawkins added that both players have significant motivation to prove their doubters wrong.
“Anthony Davis was coming off of being on two teams in two years and Trae Young, the way he left Atlanta – you’re finding guys that want to be in D.C., want to compete together and I think have some chips on their shoulders.”
Michigan head coach Dusty May is finalising a deal to take charge of the Dallas Mavericks, ending a highly successful tenure in Ann Arbor to make the jump to the NBA.
The 49-year-old will replace Jason Kidd, who was dismissed by the Texas franchise following a disappointing 26-56 campaign last season.
This move sees the former Florida Atlantic boss inherit a squad built around reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, who averaged 21.0 points per game last year.
From NCAA dominance to the NBA
May departs the collegiate ranks having guided the Wolverines to the national title in 2026 during a dominant 64-13 run over two seasons.
He becomes the first college manager to move directly to a professional NBA franchise since John Beilein joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2019.
The tactician’s reputation has skyrocketed in recent years, largely due to his innovative use of oversized lineups that effectively countered the modern small-ball revolution.
Prior to his arrival in Michigan, the highly-rated coach orchestrated a stunning run to the 2023 Final Four with the Florida Atlantic Owls.
Michigan faces an uncertain future
The sudden departure leaves the Wolverines in a state of flux just as they appeared perfectly positioned to defend their collegiate crown.
Under NCAA regulations, a 15-day transfer window will open shortly after a new manager is officially announced, allowing current players to explore their options.
University officials must now act swiftly to secure a replacement, with current assistant Mike Boynton representing a logical internal candidate given his previous managerial experience at Oklahoma State.
The new appointee will face the immediate challenge of retaining a talented roster that features Final Four Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau and highly-rated sophomore Trey McKenney.
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be traded to either the Boston Celtics or Miami Heat before Tuesday’s NBA draft.
The Eastern Conference rivals have emerged as the final two suitors for the two-time league MVP following a fractured year in Wisconsin.
Milwaukee management are currently weighing significantly different offers from both franchises without involving a third team.
Brown swap or draft capital
Boston’s proposal centres around five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown in a direct swap of two elite NBA talents.
Brown averaged a career-high 28.7 points per game last season, guiding the Celtics to a 56-26 record and the second seed despite Jayson Tatum’s prolonged injury absence.
However, the guard’s future in Massachusetts came into question last month due to a perceived rift with team executives.
Should a deal materialise, Brown is expected to remain with the Bucks rather than being routed elsewhere.
Miami’s counter-offer relies heavily on cost-controlled players and significant draft assets, including the 13th overall pick in this year’s draft.
The Florida franchise are actively seeking a lead star to pair with Bam Adebayo following Jimmy Butler’s departure to Golden State last year.
An end to an era in Milwaukee
The Greek forward has spent his entire 13-year career with the Bucks, holding every major statistical record and previously delivering their first championship in 50 years.
However, the relationship between player and organisation deteriorated rapidly during a dysfunctional 32-50 campaign where they missed the postseason.
The franchise icon was limited to just 36 games due to groin, calf, and knee injuries, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.
Tensions peaked late in the season when the former Finals MVP sparked a league investigation into the Bucks for prematurely shutting him down with a knee issue.
Both Boston and Miami are preferred destinations for the forward, paving the way for a blockbuster conclusion to a saga that began over a year ago.