NBA offseason heats up as LaMelo Ball goes to Minnesota and Jaylen Brown trade buzz grows

The NBA draft is over, but the league’s drama is just beginning. Reports from the post-draft window say more major moves are coming, including one already completed and another that could reshape Boston’s roster.

In the biggest confirmed deal mentioned, LaMelo Ball was sent from Charlotte to Minnesota, together with Josh Green. In return, the Hornets receive Naz Reid, one first-round pick, three second-round picks, and three first-round pick swaps.

The article also says Boston had hoped to land Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Milwaukee ultimately chose to trade him to Miami. Even so, Jaylen Brown does not appear likely to start next season with the Celtics. NBA insider Zach Lowe said, “It seems the toothpaste is already out of the tube. I don’t think Jaylen starts the season there. If I had to bet, it’s not happening.”

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Boston is already talking with multiple teams about Brown, and “finding the right team could take time.” After the draft, Brad Stevens, the Celtics’ president of basketball operations, said Brown is “a big part of the club” and called him “amazing for us” and “a great person to be around.” The piece notes that Brown has been mentioned in trade rumors before, including around Kawhi Leonard in 2018 and Kevin Durant in 2022. Former Celtic Kendrick Perkins also criticized the situation, saying, “You can’t come back from this. How many times do Stevens and Boston embrace him, and behind his back they have a knife?”