The demand for key players on the Boston Celtics’ roster remains strong despite recent roster changes. The Celtics have already traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and picks, while also sending Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal. However, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst reports that multiple teams continue pursuing the franchise’s remaining stars.
Boston’s championship aspirations took a devastating blow when they were eliminated by the New York Knicks in six games during the Eastern Conference semifinals. The series turned when Jayson Tatum suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon in Game 4, requiring immediate surgery and sidelining him for most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season.
Brian Windhorst Weighs In on the Chances of the Celtics Trading Jaylen Brown and Derrick White
The Celtics’ elimination continues a remarkable streak — no defending NBA champion has advanced past the second round since the Warriors made the Finals in 2019. With Tatum’s injury creating uncertainty about next season’s competitiveness, Boston has moved quickly to address their luxury tax concerns.
The Holiday trade alone saves Boston approximately $40 million in luxury tax payments next season, while the Porzingis deal helps move them $4.5 million under the second apron. These moves position the franchise for greater roster flexibility, but speculation continues about additional changes.
During a recent episode of First Take, ESPN Insider Brian Windhorst revealed that several teams with top 10 picks in the upcoming NBA Draft have tried to convince the Celtics to part ways with Brown and White.
Several teams in the top 10 of the draft have been making trade offers for Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, per @WindhorstESPN
(🎥 @FirstTake / h/t @lockedupjb )
pic.twitter.com/s9Tx8eJXJs
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 25, 2025
“The reason that today is the day that this decision is going to get made is, there are teams in the top 10 who are making offers. Top 10 of the draft tonight and you’d potentially be able to get replacement players and a draft pick. I don’t know if Brad Stevens and his staff is in love with one of these top guys. Maybe they are. But that’s what is on the table…”
Windhorst concluded, “I agree with Stephen A. I say at midnight, Jaylen Brown is still a Celtic and Derrick White is still a Celtic and they run it back and they get ready to go in 2026-2027. But I don’t know for sure that’s going to happen.”
Evaluating the Value of Boston’s Remaining Core
White is 30, and Brown is 28. Both players should be performing at elite levels when Tatum returns, making them valuable long-term assets. Brown, the 2024 Finals MVP, averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists during Boston’s championship run. White earned NBA All-Defensive Team honors in both 2023 and 2024 while becoming a crucial two-way contributor.
The financial realities facing Boston create interesting dynamics. According to recent reports, it would take a “pretty insurmountable” package for the Celtics to consider trading either Brown or White. Both players represent proven championship-level talent with remaining years of team control.
However, teams drafting in the lottery tonight possess valuable assets that could tempt Boston’s front office. The combination of young talent and future draft capital might prove attractive to a franchise suddenly facing an uncertain timeline.
The upcoming NBA Draft and closed-door negotiations between the Celtics and other teams will ultimately reveal what organization these two stars will represent heading into next season. For now, both remain central figures in Boston’s plans for navigating the post-Tatum injury landscape.
