Will Jaylen Brown be staying or leaving? That’s the buzz surrounding the Celtics at the start of free agency

With NBA free agency set to open at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, much of the buzz about the Celtics remains centered on the longest-tenured member of the roster, who also has three years remaining on his contract.

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Last week the Celtics’ pursuit of Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo failed when Milwaukee agreed to trade him to the Heat in a deal centered on draft picks and young players. Five-time All-Star and 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown was the centerpiece of Boston’s offer, but the result of this trade did not end the saga.

League sources said that the Celtics have continued to field calls from teams interested in trading for Brown. A league source said that Brown has grown frustrated with the organization’s approach following a season in which he guided the Celtics to 56 wins while Jayson Tatum was sidelined for months with an Achilles injury.

Last Tuesday night, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens stopped short of saying Brown would be on Boston’s roster next season. It remains unclear if the Celtics are urgently attempting to trade Brown or simply listening to pitches from prospective suitors. One league source said Brown could still return to the Celtics next season, even if some uncomfortable conversations must happen first.

The problem for the Celtics, at this point, is that after missing out on Antetokounmpo, it is hard to envision a trade package that would not cause them to take a step back in the short term.

If the Celtics trade Brown, agreeing to a deal before the start of free agency, it would give them a clearer view of how to supplement their roster. But that is not essential.

Regardless, free agency is set to open, and this season Stevens has a few more options in his tool chest. After dipping below the luxury tax threshold, the Celtics now have access to the $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception.

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Last Tuesday, Stevens reiterated that the Celtics were seeking to add a big man as well as a speedy guard. Boston has been linked to free agents including Pelicans center Kevon Looney and Trail Blazers center Robert Williams, who spent his first five seasons with the Celtics before being traded in the 2023 deal that brought Jrue Holiday to Boston. But the level of interest is unclear.

The Celtics also could add to their roster using their $27.7 million trade exception, which would allow them to take back up to that much salary in a deal without sending out a matching contract.

Center Nikola Vucevic is the Celtics’ lone unrestricted free agent. Vucevic was acquired from the Bulls last February, but missed a month when he broke a finger and never established a rhythm. A league source called a Vucevic return possible, but unlikely.

The Celtics on Monday exercised team options on the contracts of center Neemias Queta ($2.7 million), and forwards Jordan Walsh ($2.4 million) and Dalano Banton ($2.8 million). Queta, whose breakout season was a key factor in Boston’s success last season, is a good candidate for an extension. Banton, meanwhile, is on a non-guaranteed deal.

A league source said the Celtics are declining the team options for center Amari Williams and guard Max Shulga, rookies who were on two-way contracts last season. Both could still have opportunities to return to the team, with Williams in line for a second two-way contract and Shulga positioned to potentially join Boston’s summer league roster.

The Celtics also officially declined the team option of guard Ron Harper Jr., but sources said that was to sign the veteran to a three-year, $9 million contract that was agreed upon last week.

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