Celtics getting enticing trade offers for key players ahead of the NBA Draft

Over the past few days, the Boston Celtics roster has gone through some massive changes. Many expected them to make deals this offseason, and Brad Stevens is wasting little time. Ahead of the NBA Draft, one insider touched on how rival teams are still targeting key players on the roster. 

The Celtics' first maneuver was sending Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons. Boston then executed another trade Tuesday evening, shipping Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks in a multi-team deal. 

During Wednesday's installment of "First Take" on ESPN, Brian Windhorst chimed in on the Celtics following their flurry of recent moves. While he doesn't expect either player to be dealt, he noted that teams with lottery picks are calling Boston about Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. 

"There are teams in the top ten who are making offers, top ten in the draft tonight," Windhorst said. "You'd potentially be able to get replacement players and a draft pick. I don't know if Brad Stevens and his staff is in love with one of these top guys, maybe they are. But that's what is on the table." 

Teams in the top 10 of the 2025 NBA Draft are making aggressive trade offers to the Celtics for Jaylen Brown, per @WindhorstESPN.

Boston is listening as the draft closes in, which could start off with a jaw-dropper if Brown is indeed dealt.pic.twitter.com/tKLeVpJmTK

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 25, 2025

With their two trades, the Celtics have saved themselves a massive amount in luxury tax payments. Aside from a Godfather-esq offer, Stevens shouldn't be considering parting with either of these two core pieces. 

Boston is preparing for what could be a gap year in light of Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury. That said, upon his return, the Celtics will be right back in the mix to compete for a championship. Knowing this, the front office shouldn't move on from Brown or White. They are talented enough to keep the team competitive in Tatum's absence and will remain as foundational pieces when the franchise gets back in the title hunt.