The Boston Celtics' season may be over, but the buzz around Jaylen Brown is just heating up. After a disappointing first-round exit, trade rumors are swirling—and a new report reveals that one team with a top-10 draft pick was already kicking the tires on the All-Star forward last offseason.

According to NBA insider Chris Mannix, the Atlanta Hawks—led by a Georgia native in Brown—had "brief conversations" with the Celtics about a potential deal. "It didn't really go anywhere," Mannix noted. "The Hawks were leery about the size of Brown's contract, which at the time was the richest in NBA history. And they weren't really in a position to go all in. The Celtics were not looking to give Jaylen Brown away, either."

Fast forward to now, and the landscape has shifted. With reports that Celtics president Brad Stevens is exploring trade options for Brown, the Hawks could re-emerge as a serious suitor. Atlanta holds the No. 8 pick in the upcoming NBA draft—valuable ammo in any blockbuster deal. And after recently trading away Trae Young, the Hawks have a clear need for an elite scorer like Brown to lead their offense.

But the Hawks aren't the only team in the mix. Mannix also pointed to the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and Golden State Warriors as potential landing spots. "Teams that are theoretically going to be in the mix for Giannis Antetokounmpo could turn around and make a run at Jaylen Brown," he said. "That situation bears watching."

Brown is extension-eligible this offseason, making this the perfect time for the Celtics to either lock him up or move him. For a team like Atlanta, adding a two-way star of Brown's caliber could be the missing piece. Whether the Hawks—or another contender—make a serious push, one thing is clear: Jaylen Brown's future in Boston is the story to watch this summer.