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The Celtics did their due diligence canvassing the NBA for a potential trade partner in a Jaylen Brown deal last week before settling on a swap with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sixers sent Boston a trade return that included Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks in the deal for Brown in the controversial deal.
The trade return left many wondering whether the Celtics could have held out for more or at least found a different trading partner than their division rival.
However, a new revelation from Zach Lowe of the Ringer hints at what may have forced Boston to deal with a less than ideal trading partner.
In his latest podcast, Lowe spoke about how Browns preferences may have influenced Browns landing spot and Bostons desire to act quickly to get a deal done.
I think there was at least one or two other teams who might have been interested in Jaylen Brown and who got intel that Jaylen Brown wasnt interested in them and to maybe stay out of the bidding.
I think Boston felt the circle closing, Lowe said.
Bobby Marks of ESPN.com brought up the Blazers shortly after those comments as a potential deterred suitor.
Portland was kind of a wildcard since they have five guards who can start, Marks said.
Thats the one where Im like, did Jaylen Brown want to be there? Lowe added, I think all of that is what drove them to do it now.
Brown still has three years remaining on his supermax contract so he would not have had much leverage beyond sitting out in a non-preferred destination.
However, a team would certainly have been less eager to deal much value for him if they werent getting a player who is excited to be there.
Brad Stevens acknowledged in his press conference Monday that moving Brown to Philadelphia was not ideal but didnt deter Boston from making the swap.
The Philly part, Im with you, Stevens said.
That is a hard thing to trade a guy that you first of all care so much about, and secondly, you have so much respect and admiration for, to a team that just beat you in the playoffs.
...But I do think that ultimately when you do a deal, you have to be thinking about you first and the optionality it creates for you.
If I was being honest, if that exact deal came from a team out West and you were comparing the two, then youd probably take the team out West.
But thats not the way it would work.