The Boston Celtics shook up the NBA landscape by trading star guard Jaylen Brown to the rival Philadelphia 76ers, a move that surprised fans, analysts, and Brown’s longtime running mate, Jayson Tatum.
Reaction from Tatum
Tatum and Brown spent nearly a decade together in Boston after being drafted in the top three in consecutive years—Brown in 2016 and Tatum in 2017. The duo led the Celtics to multiple deep playoff runs, including an NBA Finals appearance in 2022 and a world championship in 2024, where Brown earned Finals MVP honors.
According to reporting, Tatum first learned of the blockbuster deal while working with children at a basketball camp in Las Vegas. “I was unaware,” Tatum said. “I kind of just saw the news like everyone else. It was just a shock.”
Trade Details
The trade brings an end to one of the league’s most successful modern partnerships, especially following a turbulent 2025-26 campaign. Tatum missed a significant portion of last season due to a torn Achilles tendon. In his absence, Brown took on a primary scoring role and registered a career-best season, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.
Rumors surrounding Brown’s future intensified early in the offseason. His name surfaced in potential packages for former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo before the Milwaukee Bucks ultimately traded Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat. Speculation persisted until Philadelphia finalized a deal to acquire Brown in exchange for veteran forward Paul George and future draft capital, including potentially two first-round selections.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
