Could Celtics Still Part Ways With Jaylen Brown Or Derrick White?

The Boston Celtics appear committed to keeping what remains of their core intact.

After trading away Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday to clear salary space while getting under the NBA’s second apron within the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, rumors have been swirling all week that Jaylen Brown or Derrick White could be the next to go.

Moving either player on draft night would have marked a full-scale reset for the franchise — a path Celtics’ top brass appears unwilling to take, even with the tantalizing haul of potential picks and assets any trade might have delivered.

Vice President of Basketball Operations Mike Zarren shot down the idea of dealing either player during a video call with reporters following Thursday night’s draft.

“Those two guys are really, really great NBA players,” Zarren said, as transcribed by Matt Geagan of CBS Boston. “There hasn’t been anything close to serious about trading them. I’m not sure where all this reporting came from, but those guys are key parts of our team, and we’re lucky to have them here.”

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier in the week that Boston had received offers for both players while emphasizing the team’s preference was to keep them.

The Celtics’ front office appears to be prioritizing continuity even with Jayson Tatum expected to miss most, if not all, of the upcoming season with a torn Achilles.

Brown, two years removed from a championship run and fresh off All-NBA honors, is poised to lead the team in Tatum’s absence. White, who still has three years remaining on his contract, has grown into a key piece on both ends of the floor.

With this veteran tandem in place, the Celtics are opting for stability, not a teardown.