Celtics GM Breaks Silence on Why He Traded Jaylen Brown

When you think of the stars of the modern Boston Celtics era, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the first names that come to mind. While Tatum was considered the face of the franchise, Brown matched him in both production and efficiency. With that said, it came as a huge shock when Celtics president Brad Stevens decided to let Brown go.

The Celtics sent Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George and several future draft picks. Many wondered why Boston’s front office would trade an MVP-caliber player, who averaged 28.9 ppg during the 2025-26 regular season, for a veteran widely considered to be past his prime. After several days of speculation, Stevens finally broke his silence and addressed the situation.

"I think that there are a lot of different angles that we have to consider in every move we make," Stevens said during a press conference. "When I looked at our team, when I looked at where the league was heading, looked at the way we finished in the last couple of years, and also looked at the unbelievable way we played the regular season last couple of years, the path looked a little more challenging to me. I might be wrong.

"But that path looked a little more challenging was 70% of our (cap space), and such a high percent of our usage tied into (Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown), " Stevens continued.

"You have to do a great job, and you have to have the optionality to do a great job of building out depth that can hopefully replace the irreplaceable individual. That's not an easy thing to do.... That's absolutely nothing against Jaylen."

While it’s disappointing to see Brown leave Boston, this move could end up working out well for him. The Celtics traded him to the very team that knocked them out in the first round of the 2026 playoffs. In many ways, Brown gives the 76ers the boost they needed to take the next step and start thinking about a championship again.

With Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey now set to share the court with a more durable and productive star than Paul George, the 76ers have a legitimate chance to emerge as contenders next season.

The trade may have ended Brown’s time in Boston, but it didn’t change how he feels about the franchise. Even after the shock of being moved, he made sure to thank the organization, his teammates, and the fans for everything they shared over the past decade.

Jaylen Brown Remains Grateful to the Celtics Despite His Frustrations

For a decade, Brown has been an important asset for the Boston Celtics. In 2024, he helped Tatum and the Celtics bring home their 18th NBA championship in franchise history. Brown was named the Finals MVP, proving that he was on par with Tatum.

Then, when JT was sidelined due to a ruptured Achilles tendon for the majority of the 2025-26 season, Brown held down the fort and led the Celtics to the No. 2 seed. His efforts put him in MVP conversations, and he finished in sixth place.

Despite all these factors, Celtics president Brad Stevens clearly thought that trading Brown was the right choice. Naturally, JB was frustrated with the situation. However, he still had nothing but nice things to say about the team he represented for 10 seasons.

"Boston, they packed me up," Brown said. "Out of there. … First and foremost, thank you to the most high, even in the midst of adversity. I'm here with gratitude. I'm still processing how this all went down. I'm excited and disappointed at the same time. I earned my respect from this city. I never asked for shortcuts or special treatment. I simply showed up every day, put my head down, and accepted every challenge.

"The relationships I built here, the battles we fought together, the championship we brought to this city, and the connection I shared with the fans, I'll carry on with me," Brown continued. "Saying goodbye isn't easy when you've invested your heart into something. I'm big on respect, and actions speak louder than words. To the people of Boston, thank you. To the community I built here, I love you."

Brown accomplished almost everything there was to accomplish in Boston, from winning a championship to becoming one of the league’s best two-way players. Now, he begins a new chapter in Philadelphia, where he’ll get another chance to compete for a title and prove the Celtics gave up on him too soon.