Boston Celtics icon Paul Pierce voiced strong support for Jaylen Brown amid growing trade speculation, warning that the team’s core should remain intact despite financial concerns.
Speaking on “Podcast P with Paul George,” Presented by Wave Original, Pierce acknowledged the realities of NBA business under new ownership but made clear where he stands on Brown’s future.
“I hope they don’t trade JB though,” Pierce said. “As long as you got Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown you can figure out the other pieces.”
Brown, 28, has been at the center of trade rumors following the Celtics’ Eastern Conference Semifinals exit and an offseason that already included moving Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday.
Report from Zach Lowe has linked the Sacramento Kings to active discussions, although Boston’s asking price remains high.
Pierce drew on his own experience in Boston when new ownership made sweeping changes.
“When I was in my second or third year we had a new owner and they traded everybody,” he said. “You just paid $6 billion for a team. You don’t want a $500 million payroll.”
Despite understanding the Celtics’ desire to cut costs, Pierce emphasized that the window to compete is still open.
“You like man this team could be a dynasty,” Pierce continued. “They didn’t already been through their growing pains… This is the year coming up where you like, alright this is a transition year, let’s evaluate everything.”
Brown is entering the second year of a five-year, $285 million supermax deal. He averaged 22.2 points during the regular season and 22.1 in the playoffs.
Pierce also commented on the broader trend of roster building and financial limitations across the league.
“The way teams is going to be built moving forward, you’re going to have probably that one super max player and then we got to figure out how we can use the rest of this money,” he said.
He criticized front offices for failing to build around stars effectively, calling out general managers who mismanage assets while players bear the consequences.
“A lot of these GMs don’t get the criticism,” Pierce added. “It hurts a player of PG’s caliber… they waste they prime.”
With Tatum recovering from Achilles surgery and potentially missing the 2025–26 season, Boston’s long-term path remains uncertain. However, Pierce believes that keeping the Brown-Tatum duo together is the Celtics’ best chance at sustaining title contention.
“For the next six years, let’s see what’s up with these two,” he said.
