The Boston Celtics are facing severe backlash from analysts and fans for reportedly exploring a Jaylen Brown trade, especially after he led them to 56 wins and kept them relevant during what was expected to be a “gap year.”
On Tuesday’s edition of ESPN’s “First Take,” rapper Cam’Ron questioned the loyalty exhibited by the Celtics franchise, while citing the infamous Isaiah Thomas trade in 2017, when the point guard was coming off a historic season.
“I don’t believe nothing they say when it comes to loyalty to players,” he said of the Celtics. “I see what they did to Isaiah Thomas when his hip was hurt… His sister passed away, and when Kyrie became available, they said, ‘Thank you for your services.’”
“…I don’t beleive anything that has to do with loyalty when it comes to the Celtics.”
Further to Cam’Ron’s point, Thomas averaged a career-high 28.9 points and finished fifth in MVP voting in the 2016-17 season, while playing through the tragic death of his sister and a hip injury to lead the C’s to the East Finals. Yet, he was shipped off in a heartbeat the following year when the Celtics had the chance to land Kyrie Irving.
Celtics Open to Jaylen Brown Trade?
Cam’Ron was also citing Brad Stevens’ recent comments about Jaylen Brown, when the Celtics front office boss squashed rumors and talk of Brown being “frustrated” with the organization. Cam’Ron added he “does not believe a word” coming out of Stevens’ mouth, as he feels the C’s will trade Brown in a heartbeat for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“We’ve been here 10 years together, and I do think that—obviously I love JB, everybody around here loves JB,” Stevens said last week.
“Just like any of our other guys, as we get to the end of the season, I’ll be here, and my door is always open if anybody ever wants to come in and talk about it. Talk about the team, their place, whatever the case may be, I’m all ears. … None of [Brown’s rumored frustrations] have been expressed to me.”
Celtics Trade Target: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Per multiple NBA insiders, the Celtics are expected to pursue a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this offseason, with Jaylen Brown likely being offered as the centerpiece in a deal.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Celtics actually made a run for a Giannis trade before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, when the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves emerged as the top suitors for the 2021 NBA Finals MVP. Other teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers also reportedly made offers to the Milwaukee Bucks for Antetokounmpo.
“The NBA playoffs represent another landmark point for the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes,” Charania wrote on May 11. “Sources said postseason teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers pursued Antetokounmpo at the February deadline, and their finishes to the campaign will play a major factor in their aggressiveness to trade for him.”
Amid the rumors, former Celtics player Kendrick Perkins has urged Brad Stevens to “make the call” to the Bucks.
“Brad Stevens, damn it, pick up the phone call right now,” Perkins said on Tuesday.
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Celtics Face Backlash Amid Jaylen Brown Trade Rumors: ‘No Loyalty’ appeared first on HEAVY.