Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown is now heavily involved in trade discussions as the NBA offseason continues.
While the five-time All-Star’s situation with the Celtics remains under watch, Brown may have hinted at his interest in joining a Chinese basketball team during his offseason vacation in China.
Jaylen Brown Jokes About $400 Million Deal While Eyeing CBA Teams
Despite an early exit in the playoffs, Brown appeared to enjoy his trip to China thoroughly.
He drew attention earlier in June with his “龙布朗” tweet, a Chinese phrase roughly translating to “Long Brown.”
In a recent social media post, Brown jokingly expressed his interest in playing for a Chinese basketball team, such as the Shanghai Sharks.
“Listen, y’all cut the check?” Brown joked when asked how many points he would average for the Sharks.
“Shanghai, I’m outta here. You write a check, $400 million.”
As Brown continued the joke, he said he would be willing to suit up for multiple Chinese clubs at once.
“Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Wing Chun, I’ll play for all the teams at the same time. I’ll be the first player to play for every team at the same time.”
Jaylen Brown says he will play for EVERY basketball team in China at the same time if they pay him $400 million
“Get ready to learn Mandarin”
(h/t @Big0Deuce) pic.twitter.com/BnqovQsYNJ
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) June 22, 2026
He played a big role in helping Boston secure the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, finishing sixth in NBA MVP voting, and earning his first All-Star starting selection.
“You’ll be seen on Twitter. Get ready to learn Mandarin, buddy,” Brown continued. “We are out here learning Mandarin for real. Beautiful language.”
While these comments can be explicitly labeled as a tongue-in-cheek joke, his Celtics scenario remains a major topic of discussion.
If Boston seriously pursues a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, moving Brown’s contract could become one of the most realistic paths to making such a deal work.
SEE ALSO: NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Linked to $15.7M Center Who Could ‘Completely Thrive’ Alongside Luka Dončić
Amid this discussion, agent Rich Paul addressed the long-running debate about leadership dynamics between Brown and Jayson Tatum and dismissed the idea that sharing the spotlight should create tension.
“I seen the effect that it had on LeBron when Kyrie (Irving) was traded,” Paul said. “It’s only a problem because you don’t sit down and communicate.”
“How can it be a problem when you’re making $300M, and I’m making $300M? What’s the problem? How the hell can it be a problem? You may have 30 tonight, I may have 30 tomorrow.”
Trade rumors around Brown have expanded beyond Milwaukee-related speculation.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported that the Los Angeles Clippers have also explored the possibility of acquiring him, with a package centered around the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and additional future assets in consideration.
