Currently, the talk around Raptors town is mainly focused on the increasing Kawhi Leonard trade rumors, especially with the latest to drop on storylines regarding RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram. However, amid all that chatter, new insights have emerged concerning another key player linked to Toronto as a star target: Celtics star Jaylen Brown.
Raptors tabbed as a potential trade suitor for Jaylen Brown
NBA insider Michael Scotto would reveal in his latest NBA intel piece for HoopsHype (link here): "Brown has drawn trade interest from various teams across the league, including the Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, and Los Angeles Clippers, league sources told HoopsHype."
Alright, so I know that's quite the lineup of potential suitors for the five-time All-Star. But Toronto's inclusion nonetheless gives Raptors fans another tantalizing offseason idea to explore the perfect co-star to slot in alongside Scottie Barnes.
In case you were wondering why the Celtics would be inclined to move on from a key pillar like Brown, it's important to note that he was reportedly being shopped by Boston ahead of a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Giannis was ultimately dealt to the Miami Heat, but in the aftermath, many rival teams are preparing for the situation in Boston to get a bit awkward with Jaylen Brown.
Even though he survived the Giannis sweepstakes, it could just be the first step towards finding a new landing spot for the 2024 Finals MVP. And if you're the Toronto Raptors, this has all the makings of being that golden acquisition or 'big-fish' swing they've been searching for. Brown is an elite two-way player with clutch scoring ability that aligns well with the steadfast Raptors culture and identity.
In fact, Brown has showcased his ability to be a killer Raptors foil in Toronto's most recent contests with Boston, having put up 24 points, 30 points, 25 points, and 26 points in his last four outings against the Raptors. All Celtics wins, by the way.
Boston has been a thorn in the Raptors' side for several years now, and Jaylen Brown is definitely a key component in that. Brown carried much of the Celtics' load this past season after waiting for a recovering Jayson Tatum, but before that, the one-two punch of JB and JT was definitely a duo the Raptors wouldn't be looking forward to facing.
Put simply, Boston has the Raptors' number in their recent campaigns. Boston had a clean 4-0 sweep against Toronto in the 2025-26 season, went 3-1 against them in 2024-25, and another 4-0 record in the 2023-24 season. Boston losing the benefit of Jaylen Brown, instead joining the Raptors' ranks, could help finally the turn in favor of Toronto against one of their most threatening Atlantic Division rivals.
Toronto can only hope they are the ones to shake up this Celtics core, as the Scotto report states: "[...] rumors have persisted to the point that NBA executives across the league are wondering not if Brown will be traded, but rather when and where."
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