The Boston Celtics’ President of Basketball Operations, Brad Stevens, reportedly included Jaylen Brown in a trade package for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo before the two-time MVP was ultimately traded to the Miami Heat.
After Boston’s pursuit fell short, former Celtics champion Kendrick Perkins shared jabs at Stevens over the failed attempt.
Kendrick Perkins Blasts Brad Stevens Over Failed Jaylen Brown-Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade
Miami gave up a big portion of its young core to land Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis, packaging Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, along with additional future draft assets.
The blockbuster move signals the Heat’s all-in approach to winning immediately, with Antetokounmpo set to team up with Bam Adebayo to create one of the league’s most formidable frontcourt duos.
Meanwhile, the Celtics’ offer centered around Jaylen Brown and two first-round draft picks. While Brown may have been the most accomplished player included in either proposal, the Bucks reportedly preferred Miami’s collection of highly regarded young talent and draft capital.
The trade has largely been viewed as a win for both the Bucks and the Heat, but Perkins believes Boston came away as the loser and criticized Stevens for the move.
“By the way, Brad Stevens, you dropped the ball. There is no way in hell that you should have lost the Giannis sweepstakes to the Miami Heat,” Perkins said. “If you’re gonna jump off the porch and put a guy like Jaylen Brown available, knowing that you tried to trade him once before, you better get that deal done some type of way.”
“Or you better have a plan B, I don’t want to hear about an uncomfortable conversation that you got to have or that y’all had,” he continued. “I don’t want to hear none of that, it should have been a plan B. It shouldn’t take this long.”
Some may think Brown is not on Antetokounmpo’s level, but he is coming off one of his best seasons, finishing sixth in MVP voting and earning All-NBA Second Team honors. He averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game while shooting 47.7% from the field and 34.7% from three-point range.
Meanwhile, there remains concern about the impact the trade talks could have on Brown’s future with Boston.
After emerging from a good season, seeing his name heavily involved in Antetokounmpo negotiations may have strained the relationship.
NBA analyst Zach Lowe even said he believes Brown’s time with the Celtics could be nearing its end.
“It feels like the toothpaste is too far out of the tube with Jaylen Brown,” Lowe said on a recent episode of his podcast.
“If you ask me right now, I don’t think Jaylen Brown starts the season with the Boston Celtics next year. That could end up being wrong.”
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Whether Boston has another major move lined up after missing out on Antetokounmpo remains uncertain.
However, what is clear is that the failed pursuit has complicated the Celtics’ situation with Brown, especially as the franchise continues to listen to trade offers involving its former Finals MVP.
