Boston Celtics

"I see some comments, or takes, that I didn't even care to see, but it just gives me more fuel to the fire."

By Conor Ryan

June 22, 2026 | 6:12 PM

2 minutes to read

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Jaylen Brown is well aware of the trade rumors hovering over him and the Celtics this summer.

And, as the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes reaches its final stretch, the Celtics star winger stressed that he’s using all this trade chatter as motivation.

​”Somewhat grateful, because I get to see some negativity that I didn’t want. But that just gives more fuel to the fire,” Brown said on his Twitch stream on Sunday while training with Olympic sprinter Noah Lyles. “I see some comments, or takes, that I didn’t even care to see, but it just gives me more fuel to the fire.

“To all the people who have doubted me, that want me to do this or want me gone, you’re turning me into a monster.”

It remains to be seen where exactly a motivated Brown will play next season. While he’s under contract with Boston through the 2028-29 season, several reports have noted that the 2024 NBA Finals MVP might be the top trade chip used to pry Antetokounmpo out of Milwaukee.

“The Celtics and the [Miami Heat] are the two teams that are aggressively going after Giannis, I would say they are the finalists,” ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said Monday morning. “If Giannis is going to be traded in the next 24 hours, which I think is a good chance of happening, it’s either going to be to Boston or Miami​.

“[Boston] was very cautious about putting Jaylen Brown in an official firm offer,” he added. “I believe they have. Jaylen Brown is on the table and I believe Jaylen Brown could get traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo in the short term.”

For what it’s worth, Brown has not publicly shared his frustrations with Boston or outright demanded a trade — especially coming off a 2025-26 season that he said was his “favorite” campaign to date across 10 years in the NBA.

Speaking on Twitch last month, Brown pushed back against comments from NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady that seemed to signal Brown was growing frustrated with his current situation with the Celtics.

“First things first, lotta stuff swirling around the Celtics and our organization,” Brown said. “Hate that our president of basketball operations even had to respond to this. Me and Brad [Stevens] have a great relationship. I love Boston. If it was up to me, I’d play in Boston for the next 10 years. I’ll say it again: I hate that Brad even had to respond to this.​

​But, might that sentiment be changing as trade rumors continue to intensify between Boston and Milwaukee?

​Yahoo Sports NBA reporter Kelly Iko reported Monday evening that Brown might be receptive to playing elsewhere — especially if handed the keys to a franchise as their No. 1 option moving forward.

“Given that the Celtics’ offer is contingent on Jaylen Brown’s inclusion — despite a denial that has amused rival executives — there’s an increasing sense that not only is Brown comfortable with the idea of leaving Boston and being traded to Milwaukee, but is hoping to find a resolution over the next 48 hours, league sources said,” Iko wrote.