Stephen A. Smith has forcefully pushed back against a recent report that he believes unfairly questions Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown's trade value. Smith labeled the story 'utterly ridiculous' in a segment on his show.
Brown, a key piece of Boston's recent NBA Finals run, has been the subject of speculative trade rumors this offseason. One report suggested he could be moved to the Milwaukee Bucks in a deal centered around two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, a notion Smith dismissed as unfounded.
No other major media outlets have confirmed any active trade discussions involving Brown. The Celtics have publicly maintained their commitment to the 27-year-old wing, who averaged 23 points per game last season.
The report's timing comes as Boston faces luxury tax pressures and roster decisions around its core of Brown and Jayson Tatum. However, team insiders have consistently denied plans to break up the duo.
'I just thought it was utterly ridiculous, the way they were framing Jaylen Brown's trade value,' Smith said, according to the Yahoo Sports report. He did not specify which outlet or reporter he was criticizing.