The Los Angeles Clippers are among the teams showing strong interest in Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, with one NBA executive telling ESPN that the franchise “wants Brown bad” as trade speculation continues to grow around the All-NBA forward.
Vincent Goodwill of ESPN reported Monday that the Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets are among the teams that have registered interest in Brown. League executives believe Boston is currently surveying the market to determine Brown’s value rather than actively rushing toward a deal, especially with the 29-year-old still under contract for three more seasons.
Brown is coming off the best statistical season of his career. He averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists during the 2025-26 season, earned All-NBA Second Team honors and finished sixth in MVP voting.
The Celtics went 56-26 and secured the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed, but their season ended with a seven-game first-round loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. The early playoff exit has increased questions about whether Boston will reshape its roster around Brown and Jayson Tatum or explore major changes.
The Clippers’ interest comes as the organization faces its own roster uncertainty. Los Angeles finished 42-40 and entered the playoffs as the Western Conference’s No. 9 seed despite Kawhi Leonard averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists while earning All-Star and All-NBA Second Team recognition.
Leonard’s future has become a major storyline after reports that the Clippers and Toronto Raptors have discussed a potential trade involving the former NBA champion. If Los Angeles moves Leonard, acquiring another elite two-way wing like Brown would represent a significant attempt to remain competitive.
However, the Clippers’ path to a Brown trade became more complicated after the 2026 NBA Draft. Los Angeles selected Keaton Wagler with the fifth overall pick, reducing some flexibility for a blockbuster move involving young assets.
Boston’s asking price is expected to be high. Brown’s contract security — three years remaining — gives the Celtics leverage, and teams around the league have reportedly explored what it would take to acquire him. Portland has emerged as one of the more aggressive suitors, while Toronto, Denver, Brooklyn, Charlotte and Atlanta have also monitored the situation.
