Jaylen Brown is a flight risk
"It takes sacrifice on my behalf," Brown told reporters at NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City. "It's definitely a lot of opportunities that you can be a guy. But the ultimate goal for me and Jayson has always been to win games.
"So when you see team dynamics, there's nothing wrong with doing your job on the team. So throughout my career, I've learned to be and play the role that has been needed for me to play, and I think that's part of why the success has been able to happen. Being able to humble yourself and be like yeah, I know I could be something somewhere else, but there's no problem being a great team guy and winning here in Boston." SOURCE
Jaylen Brown made these statements last week after the All-Star game. I have heard a lot of people talking about this as a positive. They believe it is a good thing Jaylen is aware he’s taking a back seat to Tatum and willing to do so as long as they win. I agree with that, but my question is for how long?
If the Celtics were to win the championship this year does that open the door for Jaylen to search out a team of his own? Mission accomplished in Boston let me go prove I can be the man. If the Celtics don’t win you could say the clock is ticking on both Tatum and Brown. The NBA is basically a league of flight risks not named Curry and Tompson. For the optomists I guess they look at what Golden State did and hope the Celtics can pull it off. You need three things for that to happen
Money. The Warriors pay roll is upwards of $400 million after taxes. The Celtics can’t match that. They also dont have to get stupid and give Draymond Green (Marcus Smart max money.) They can lure Jaylen to sign the extension at the most money possible in Boston. If Brown makes an All NBA team this year that contract looks like 5 years $270 million. Dwarfing what a team could give him on the open market.
Buy in. Tatum and Brown want to be here. If they are competitors and strive to win and that’s all they care about Boston is a great place to be. But, is that all they care about. Glitz and glam have not quite been associated with the City on the Hill. Tatum may want to bright lights of LA just as much as Brown wants to be his own man.
Winning. Ultimately it should come down to winning. At least if you look at it in, say a 5 year window. If this iteration of the Celtics can mainly stick together through Tatum’s current contract with a shot at the title each year you’re in good shape. To predict beyond that in this NBA climate is too difficult.
It may be the pessamist in me, I’m just saying. I hear those comments from Brown and think he is biding his time until the chance to prove himself presents itself. We know he has not been happy about the trade rumors over the years which seem to never go away. We know he still holds a grudge against the fans for booing him on draft night SEVEN years ago. Take that into account plus the player empowerment the league runs on, I think the odds are in favor of Jaylen searching out greener pastures than the green he wears on his chest in Boston.