Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jaylen Brown Addresses Non-Committal Comments About Celtics' Future: 'I'm Focused on Helping Lead My Team for Another Playoff Run'
In a recent interview with Logan Murdock of The Ringer, Jaylen Brown's comments about his future with the only NBA franchise he's played for were cause for uneasiness within the Celtics fan base.
"I don’t know," conveyed the two-time All-Star. "As long as I’m needed. It’s not up to me. We’ll see how they feel about me over time and (how) I feel about them over time. Hopefully, whatever it is, it makes sense. But I will stay where I’m wanted. I will stay where I’m needed and treated correct."
On the heels of Boston's 132-109 win over the Kings, capping a taxing six-game road trip with a 4-2 record, Brown, who registered 27 points, five rebounds, and four assists, addressed his non-committal statement.
"I feel great; on a 50-win team right now, which you can't take for granted. Tonight was the 50th win. And right now, I'm focused on helping lead my team for another playoff run. And in terms of speculation, etcetera, I can't speculate on anything above what I'm doing right now.
"I think sometimes when people write articles, it gets taken out of context at times, especially when writers have their own agendas or whatever, so for me personally, I'm thinking about clarifying some of the things that have been recently said, but other than that, I'm just focused on my team. I'm focused on playing basketball and focused on winning games."
When asked if there was anything that he wants to clarify, Brown responded as follows.
"Nothing right now. Right now, (the) only thing I want to clarify is (the) Celtics need to play better and win more games. If I want to say something in the future about (the) kind of things that's been floating around, I will. But in terms of right now, I like when people hear things from the horse's mouth, and you can see my reaction, my face, and everything how I feel about what I'm saying. Sometimes, those things can get lost in translation, you know. So, if I feel the need to do so, I will.
"I keep constant communication with my teammates and my organization, and we've gotta have everybody on board if we want to do what we say we want to do. So, right now, I'm focused on that."
Brown's on a championship contender, who at 50-23, has the second-best record in the NBA. Boston is two games behind the Bucks, who occupy the top spot in the East, and one ahead of the third-seeded Sixers.
If Brown, now in his seventh season, makes an All-NBA team, then he'll become eligible for a five-year, $273 million veteran supermax extension. It's a contract the Celtics would happily pay him.
There's also a legitimate possibility the NBA tweaks its extension rules. Doing so could allow Brown to sign for 150 percent of his previous salary. That translates to a 30 percent max contract. Brown's making $26.7 million this season and is scheduled to earn $28.5 million for 2023-24.
If the rules remain the same and he isn't voted to an All-NBA team, it's in Brown's best interest to play out his current contract.
Regardless of how it all shakes out, Boston must make Brown feel like he's a vital part of how the franchise plans on going forward; after all, he is.
Even if Brown signs an extension this summer, the Celtics not maintaining their relationship with him, allowing him to feel they're more interested in trading him for the next disgruntled superstar, could lead him to ask out whenever he wants. Just ask Kevin Durant, who did so before his four-year extension with the Nets had kicked in.
Further Reading
Jaylen Brown is Uncertain About Future With Boston Celtics
[Film Room] the Primary Problem Plaguing the Celtics' Crunch-Time Defense
