Jaylen Brown Says He and Jayson Tatum Have Not Spoken Since Trade
Jaylen Brown told reporters that he and former Celtics teammate Jayson Tatum have had little contact since the July trade that sent Brown to Philadelphia, emphasizing mutual respect despite past ups and downs.
Philadelphia introduced Jaylen Brown on Thursday after the team completed a trade with Boston that sent Paul George and four draft picks to the Celtics. When asked about his relationship with former teammate Jayson Tatum, Brown said the two have "not really" spoken since the deal was finalized on July 6. He acknowledged that their nine-year partnership included "ups and downs" but stressed that his feelings are based on respect and well-wishes for Tatum's future.
"We won a championship together. Anybody that you win a championship with, you would think that's what a brotherhood or a lifelong legacy would entail," Brown said, adding that his respect for Tatum remains unchanged.
Former Celtics player Grant Williams commented that media narratives often exaggerate tension between players, noting that he does not believe Brown and Tatum disliked each other. Tatum has also spoken positively about his history with Brown in a recent podcast interview.
Brown now joins a Philadelphia roster that includes Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Joel Embiid and LeBron James, while Tatum remains Boston's leading star alongside Paul George, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard. The two will likely meet several times this season as both teams pursue NBA championships.