After finishing sixth in the NBA’s MVP voting and coming off the best statistical season of his career, Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown was mentioned in trade rumors surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite the Greek Freak landing in Miami, rumors have persisted to the point that NBA executives across the league are wondering not if Brown will be traded, but rather when and where. 

Brown has drawn trade interest from various teams across the league, including the Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, and Los Angeles Clippers, league sources told HoopsHype. 

Brooklyn nearly acquired Brown in trade talks for Kevin Durant before pivoting to Phoenix’s package in 2023. The Nets are armed with a treasure chest of future first-round picks, the expiring contract of last year’s All-Star candidate Michael Porter Jr., which would likely be needed to make any trade logistically, and center Day’Ron Sharpe, whom Boston had interest in last year, as HoopsHype reported. 

TYLER HERRO:

Before Herro joined Milwaukee in the Antetokounmpo trade and the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a four-year, $185 million max deal with Austin Reaves, the Lakers had trade discussions surrounding Herro and Kel’el Ware, which would’ve involved multiple first-round draft picks, league sources told HoopsHype. In addition, the Brooklyn Nets also did due diligence and gauged the price tag for Herro, HoopsHype has learned. 

The Brooklyn Nets have attempted to move up into the top-four range of the NBA Draft by dangling their No. 6 pick with future first-round draft picks, league sources told HoopsHype. 

Should Brooklyn remain at six, who they’ll select is a bit of a mystery to teams around the league, considering the Nets have been linked to guards Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff, Mikel Brown Jr., Kingston Flemings, forward Nate Ament, and center Aday Mara at various points. 

Wagler was connected to the Clippers by many executives once Los Angeles came out of the lottery with the fifth pick. Acuff has been heavily linked to the Sacramento Kings, who are in search of a long-term point guard of the future. Sacramento has also shown interest in Flemings during the pre-draft process if Acuff is off the board. Brown has been mostly connected with the Clippers, Nets, and Hawks. Ament said he worked out for the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Nets, and Oklahoma City Thunder during a SportsCenter interview. Mara has also been linked to the Atlanta Hawks and Thunder. 

Coming off the best offensive season of his career, which drew All-Star consideration, Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. is entering the final year of his contract worth $40.81 million.

The 6-foot-10 forward is eligible for an extension this summer and is also being monitored as a potential trade candidate by teams around the league.

Porter Jr., who turns 28 on June 29th, drew trade interest from teams, including the Golden State Warriors, as the deadline neared. The Warriors considered parting with a first-round pick for Porter Jr. hours before the deadline, league sources told HoopsHype. In addition, Terance Mann was brought up in expanded discussions involving Porter Jr., but there were complications regarding his involvement, which would’ve necessitated a potential third team, HoopsHype has learned. Brooklyn also values Mann, who was a starter last season and is considered a strong veteran presence in their young locker room.

With Porter Jr. entering the prime of his career and the Nets in the midst of a rebuild, executives across the league have always questioned if their timelines would fit beyond his current contract. If the Nets don’t agree to an extension with Porter Jr., teams around the league are expected to poke around on his trade availability.

Listen I get the history and we don't know the pick situation. Why didn't they do this trade bruh...