A recent in-depth profile on Boston Celtics’ new lead owner Bill Chisholm contained an intriguing detail about the team’s past trade pursuits.

Published in The Boston Globe, the piece by veteran beat writer Adam Himmelsbach explored Chisholm’s journey to acquiring the franchise and his deep-rooted passion for the organization.

Buried within the story was a revelation that caught the attention of many fans: the Celtics were close to acquiring Jalen Brunson during his time with the Dallas Mavericks. This potential deal would have occurred before Brunson departed for the New York Knicks in free agency.

According to the report, Brad Stevens, the team’s president of basketball operations, gave Chisholm an inside look at the franchise’s decision-making process.

During one meeting, “Stevens projected his computer screen onto a wall and shared a rare glimpse into his basketball mind. He described how big deals were finalized, and why others crumbled, such as a near-miss for then-Mavericks point guard Jalen Brunson. Chisholm was captivated.”

The story highlighted this moment to illustrate Chisholm’s enthusiasm and how Stevens provided him with transparency about team operations. This anecdote underscores the high-stakes nature of NBA front-office work, where major acquisitions often fall through despite serious efforts.

Brunson’s final season in Dallas came during the 2021-22 campaign, a period when he began emerging as a key contributor alongside Luka Dončić. Speculation abounds on what a trade might have required from Boston, though details remain unknown—it’s unlikely the team would have included superstars like Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum.

Players such as Marcus Smart or perhaps Derrick White could have been part of discussions, but no specifics have surfaced.

In the end, Brunson signed a lucrative deal with the Knicks, where he has since developed into one of the premier guards in the Eastern Conference.

Imagining him donning the iconic green uniform raises endless what-if scenarios for Celtics supporters. The revelation adds another layer to Boston’s roster-building history under Stevens, known for bold moves that have kept the team competitive.

While the near-trade never materialized, it serves as a reminder of how close the NBA landscape can come to shifting dramatically.

For now, fans can ponder the alternate reality while celebrating the current championship-caliber squad. This tidbit, though small in the larger profile, has sparked widespread discussion among basketball enthusiasts about missed opportunities and paths not taken.