Jaylen Brown

Rival executives are watching whether Portland could rehab Ja Morant's value before flipping him, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer said, though his $87M salary and injury history make a deadline deal unlikely.

The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski said Minnesota held real internal discussions about trading for Jaylen Brown this summer. He said Boston's asking price was Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid, which the Wolves saw as too steep.

Sixers president Bob Myers described how the Jaylen Brown trade came together, saying the process turned serious once Brad Stevens asked what Philadelphia was offering, then ran through roughly 50 conversations without either side leaking.

Boston owner Bill Chisholm said he had reservations about trading Jaylen Brown but deferred to his basketball people. He credited Brad Stevens and the front office with having "conviction" about the deal. Chisholm framed the call as trusting the "best brains in basketball" over his own hesitation.

Jaylen Brown, dealt from Boston to Philadelphia on July 6 in a package that sent Paul George plus two first-round and two second-round picks to the Celtics, spoke publicly for the first time about teaming with LeBron James, who signed with the Sixers in late July.

Bob Myers, president of sports for the 76ers' parent company, says Philadelphia's inquiry on Jaylen Brown turned serious the moment Brad Stevens replied, "What are you offering?" Myers said on the Cousins podcast with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady that roughly 50 conversations followed, kept quiet by both sides.