NBA Draft Rumors: Celtics Being Offered Premier Picks For Stars

If the Boston Celtics are willing to trade either Jaylen Brown or Derrick White, it’s likely to take place before the 2025 NBA Draft tips off Wednesday night.

“The reason today is the day the decisions are probably going to get made is because you have teams in the top 10 who are making offers,” ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst said on “First Take” on Wednesday morning.

“The top 10 in the draft tonight, and you’d potentially be able to get replacement players, and a draft pick,” Windhorst continued. “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.”

It’s unlikely the Dallas Mavericks are one of the teams Windhorst is referring to given Dallas is in the driver’s seat for phenom Cooper Flagg. The San Antonio Spurs (No. 2), Philadelphia 76ers (No. 3), Charlotte Hornets (No. 4) and Utah Jazz (No. 5) represent those choosing after Dallas.

ESPN colleague Shams Charania previously reported the Celtics are receiving multiple significant offers for Brown and White, though it’s unknown whether the Green will accept any of them. Boston, which entered the offseason needing to slash its historic payroll, already is under the second apron of the luxury tax following the trades of Jrue Holiday (Portland Trail Blazers) and Kristaps Porzingis (Atlanta Hawks).

Those deals make Boston less likely to trade Brown or White, despite the fact Jayson Tatum will miss at least the first few months of the season due to a Achilles injury.