Photo: Peter Baba

Following several days of speculation and reports suggesting the Boston Celtics were open to trade discussions involving star guards Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, the team’s vice president of basketball operations, Mike Zarren, publicly refuted any serious trade talks involving either player.

“Those two guys are really, really great NBA players, and there hasn’t been anything close to serious about trading them,” Zarren stated. “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.”

Zarren’s remarks appear aimed at quelling the rumors that Boston was actively shopping its All-Star duo.

Reports had indicated that Boston was at least willing to entertain offers, but according to league insiders, the Celtics placed a steep price tag on both Brown and White, signaling their intent to retain them unless blown away by a deal.

ESPN and The Ringer’s Zach Lowe added context, revealing that the Toronto Raptors had floated an offer centered on the No. 9 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft for Derrick White.

“There were reports that the Raptors offered the No. 9 pick for Derrick White,” Lowe said on his podcast Thursday. “I’m told that’s true but that it happened a month and a half ago after Jayson Tatum got hurt and Boston laughed at that offer and said we need way more than No. 9 for Derrick White.”

The Celtics’ front office appears committed to its core, even as it makes moves to manage its payroll and navigate the luxury tax. In a significant financial adjustment earlier this week, Boston traded away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis, a move that helped ease their luxury tax burden.

Jaylen Brown remains under contract on the second year of his five-year, $285 million supermax deal, while Derrick White is about to begin the first year of a four-year, $118 million extension he signed in 2024, solidifying their roles as foundational players in the team’s long-term plans.

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