The smoke around a possible Boston Celtics trade of Jaylen Brown has turned into fire on Friday, with several reports circulating online that the C's could end up moving Brown in a deal that nets the Celtics Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. 

If a deal goes through, it likely would involve a third team, with the potential of Brown being re-routed to that third team. The Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans and Portland Trail Blazers have been mentioned as possibilities for Brown throughout the offseason. 

Brown, 29, has spent 10 years with the Celtics, helping lead them to two NBA Finals appearances and an NBA title in 2023-24. He's a five-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA selection, an NBA Finals MVP, and he finished sixth in MVP voting this season after averaging 28.7 ppg.

Brown has been the subject of trade rumors for years, but these rumors could cut differently. Let's talk it out.

The reality is that the NBA is a business, and Brown has seen the NBA's business up close since coming into the league. He's seen the Celtics trade away the beloved Isaiah Thomas, he's seen the team move on from head coach Ime Udoka after one year, he's seen countless big signings and multiple unceremonious endings.

At the end of the day, Brown knows that major transactions happen in the NBA, so he shouldn't be completely taken by surprise if that does happen.

But still...

I want to make this clear: I don't know how Jaylen Brown would feel about it all, but I know how I would feel about it all if i were him.

How could the Celtics trade me after I just carried the franchise in the wake of Jayson Tatum's injury? How could they move me after I just elevated my game to a new level and unlocked something new in myself, both as a player and a leader?

If you were going to trade me, why didn't you do it five years ago? Why not seven years ago when it was rumored? I'm finally at my peak, now is the time that you should be wanting to hold on to me.

Sure, I know the NBA is a business, but with how good I was in 2025-26? That should transcend business. The best business decision should be keeping me. Look at all I've done for you over the last decade, all I've put up with, and now with Tatum back, we have a real chance to win again. 

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