Jaylen Browns quiets trade rumors as Boston propels into first place in East

Jaylen Brown’s recent play, coupled with Boston’s success, has quieted trade whispers. 

When past players and NBA analysts say the 82-game season is a “marathon and not a sprint,” they truly mean it. The regular season can take a lot out of players both physically and mentally.

The constant travel, along with wear and tear on the body can be a challenge. This is where the strongest individuals flourish and that has been true for Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics’ young all-star has silenced the trade rumors about him leaving Boston as the Celtics have been red hot and are now tied for first place in the Eastern Conference.

On January 7, the Boston Celtics were in 11th place in the East and their season was looking grim. About 11 weeks later the team finds themselves in a completely different situation. With Miami’s loss to Brooklyn on Saturday night, and the 76ers losing to the Suns Sunday, that leaves the Celtics tied with Miami for sole possession of first place.

In the Celtics’ last 25 games, the team is 22-3. That is due to the strong pairing of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The pair has scored 25 or more in the current six-game win streak. They join Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, along with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant as the only pair of teammates to score 25 or more in six straight games together. 

Brown tweeted “The energy is about to shift” on January 31st, and that is when the Celtics ironically started to turn their season around. Over his last five games, Brown is averaging 28.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 59.1 field goal percentage, and 51.9 percent from three while taking 5.4 attempts per game.

His season averages are 23.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. He earned his first all-star selection last year, and some feel that he was snubbed this year, despite having close to similar or better numbers. NBA fans know the all-star game can turn into a popularity contest and those deserving don’t always make it.

Jaylen Brown only has the potential to get better and that is scary for fans in the Eastern Conference for years to come. In his sixth year as a pro, Brown is only 25 years old and has yet to enter the “prime” of his career. His statistical numbers have increased every year and Boston has made the playoffs in each of his first six seasons. Reaching the Conference Finals two times.

The league average for the age is 26.2 years old. Boston’s average age is slightly less at 25.8, and the only player over 30 who gets real NBA minutes is Al Horford. Brown is only 25 and Jayson Tatum is only 24. Read that twice! Boston is going to be good for a very long time if they can keep both of them. It’s not going to be easy to pay and keep two superstars like Brown and Tatum.

With seven games left this season, the Celtics will look to hold that first place spot for the next two weeks. Possibly even take sole possession and push Miami down further. Will Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have enough to get Boston back to the Conference Finals to compete for a spot in the NBA Finals?