‘Seen As the Front-Runner’ — NBA Insider Reveals Which Team Is Leading the Jaylen Brown Sweepstakes

Jaylen Brown’s long-term future with the Boston Celtics continues to raise questions around the league.

Tension between Brown and the front office has fueled growing speculation, and several teams have started exploring whether they can land the All-Star wing if Boston decides to make a deal.

The Athletic’s Sam Amick named the Portland Trail Blazers as the team in the strongest position to make that happen.

Trail Blazers Leading Race to Acquire Jaylen Brown

In his latest report, Amick revealed that Portland is widely viewed as the favorite to make a move for Brown.

“The Celtics, per league sources, have been asking for up to four first-round picks; Portland is seen as the front-runner there,” Amick wrote.

Last week, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania also shared similar intel on Boston’s trade demands.

“What’s the ask now? My understanding is, in some cases, the Celtics have asked teams for at least four first-round picks for Jaylen Brown. He’s got three years left on his contract.”

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At first glance, four first-round picks may sound like a massive asking price. However, recent history supports the Celtics’ valuation.

In 2024, the Brooklyn Nets received five first-round picks from the New York Knicks in exchange for Mikal Bridges. Although Bridges later helped New York win the 2026 championship, Brown has built a stronger résumé as an individual player.

As such, Boston’s desired return does not appear unreasonable in the current market.

Still, Portland doesn’t want to give up its young core for Brown. As per multiple reports, the franchise has kept Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan out of negotiations.

Instead, Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, and other assets could form the foundation of a package. The Trail Blazers also possess the draft capital to complete a trade.

They have an unprotected 2028 Orlando Magic first-round pick, the more favorable of the Milwaukee Bucks’ and Celtics’ 2029 first-round picks, multiple pick swaps with Milwaukee, and their own future selections.

Combined with player assets, that package explains why Portland has emerged as the front-runner. However, several other teams are also monitoring the situation.

This week, NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported that the Denver Nuggets have also explored the possibility of entering the Brown sweepstakes.

“Sources say that the Nuggets have at least internally discussed whether they have the asset wherewithal to join the trade chase for Boston’s Jaylen Brown, but the Nuggets have yet to emerge as a bona fide landing spot for the Celtics’ MVP candidate,” Stein and Fischer wrote.

Stein’s reporting suggests the interest is real, but the path to a deal remains uncertain.

For now, Portland still appears to hold the strongest position if Boston ultimately decides to move on from the 10-year veteran.