NBA Rumors: Jaylen Brown Linked Again to the Atlanta Hawks

Boston Celtics finished the season as the second-placed team in the Eastern Conference, but their surprising first-round playoff exit has completely altered the franchise's outlook going into the summer.

Following the postseason failure, the Celtics face months of reflection and potential roster changes. While just a few days ago there were discussions about several players possibly leaving the team, now the name starting to surface in trade rumors is that of Jaylen Brown.

The latest information surrounding the five-time All-Star places the Atlanta Hawks as one of the teams interested in trying to acquire Brown. According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, the Hawks had already engaged in discussions with Boston last summer regarding the forward, but at that time Atlanta was not ready to definitively pursue the deal.

However, the current situation of the franchise may have changed, and those discussions could be resumed this summer. “I wrote this week about the Atlanta Hawks. Jaylen is a Georgia native… It's a team that, considering what happened this season, could be interested in Jaylen Brown,” Mannix explained.

The new direction of the Hawks

This shift in mentality in Atlanta comes after a season marked by the departure of Trae Young. The franchise ultimately decided to break away from its previous project and found that the team performed much better, especially on defense, when leadership was placed on Jalen Johnson.

The emerging young star closed the season with averages of 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists, while Atlanta finished sixth in the East with a record of 46-36. The numbers with and without Trae Young also supported that feeling. The Hawks posted a 2-8 record with Young available, whereas without him, they achieved an impressive 44-28.

The prospect of pairing Jaylen Brown with Jalen Johnson and the other young pieces that Atlanta has acquired in recent years is particularly appealing to a franchise clearly on the rise. The Hawks are gearing up to be one of the most active teams during the summer, and Brown could become one of their key targets.

Nevertheless, Mannix also points out that Boston is not under pressure to rush. The Celtics won 56 games this season and will once again have the duo of Brown and Jayson Tatum for a full season. Additionally, if they manage to bolster the center position, the franchise could still be considered one of the favorites in the East.

Atlanta not only has Brown on the radar. According to the same information, the Hawks will also try to explore the possibility of going after Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer. Nevertheless, the option to make an offer for Jaylen Brown remains very much alive and could become one of the most significant stories in the NBA market in the coming months.