Jaylen Brown comments on Celtics trade and expresses mixed feelings about move to Philadelphia
Jaylen Brown said he felt a lack of respect during the trade process that sent him from Boston to Philadelphia, while looking forward to proving himself with the Sixers.
Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens is expected to comment on the trade that sends Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and draft assets after it becomes official, possibly as early as Monday. Brown issued a social-media statement on Thursday, saying he is both excited and disappointed about the move and thanked Boston fans for their support. He added that he plans to earn respect in Philadelphia through his work on the court.
During a later Twitch interview, Brown said he perceived a lack of respect in how the trade discussions were handled. He suggested that more explanation from the organization would have helped him understand the situation and noted that Celtics president Brad Stevens has faced criticism for his role in the negotiations.
Brown, a five-time All-Star, also reiterated that the 2024 season remains his favorite, despite earlier comments that were interpreted as preferring a larger individual role over sharing a championship with teammate Jayson Tatum. He clarified that he did not request a trade and that the Celtics’ decision was not driven by cost-cutting considerations, according to earlier reports.
Looking ahead, Brown acknowledged the challenge of joining a division rival, joking that he had been "programmed to hate Philadelphia" because of the historic rivalry, and said he will need time to adjust to his new team.