The relationship between a star NBA player and their team is a relationship like any other. It needs to be cultivated, or else it will perish.

There are plenty of ways in which that can happen. In some cases, a team falls short on an annual basis until that star decides that they won’t be able to win with their team. In other cases, a star is included in too many trade rumors that have their team landing a bigger star, and their loyalty is lost.

The relationship between the Utah Jazz and Donovan Mitchell falls into the former category. Granted, we don’t know if Mitchell has even formally requested a trade. In fact, it seems like there’s a mutual interest between the player and the team to find Mitchell a new home.

On the other hand, the Celtics don’t seem to want to trade Jaylen Brown. Unless they’re getting Kevin Durant, that is: or possibly James Harden.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Boston Celtics & Utah Jazz Updates

Either way, Brown has been involved in so many trade rumors that, by now, he may have lost whatever trust he’d put into the organization.

If that’s so, the Celtics should consider shopping him. Could they flip him for Donovan Mitchell?