Brown and Tatum reportedly discussed future after trade during France dinner
Sources say Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum had a private conversation in France in June before Brown was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, and both players assert there is no lingering conflict ahead of their teams' first meeting of the season.
Boston and Philadelphia will meet for the first time this season on Tuesday, drawing attention to the relationship between former Celtics teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. According to ESPN reporter Shams Charania, the two had a "heart-to-heart" dinner in France in late June, shortly after the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to the Miami Heat and days before Brown's trade to the 76ers. Charania said Brown approached Tatum to discuss their future as a duo, but left the meeting without a clear sense of his own path.
Brown and Tatum spent nine seasons together in Boston, winning the 2023-24 NBA championship and earning individual honors, including Brown's NBA Finals MVP award. The offseason trade that sent Brown to Philadelphia and returned Paul George to Boston has placed their partnership under scrutiny.
Tatum posted a video on his YouTube channel expressing surprise at the trade and later said he called and texted Brown on the day the deal was finalized, emphasizing that there is "no beef or ill will" and rejecting comparisons to past NBA feuds. He added that any discussion about their relationship belongs between them, not on the internet.
Brown echoed the sentiment in remarks to reporters, describing the situation as "just basketball" and stating there is "no beef" between the two. He praised Tatum's background and talent, noting that both players are "blessed" and will be "alright" moving forward.
The game on Tuesday marks the first of four regular-season meetings between the Celtics and 76ers and could foreshadow a potential Eastern Conference playoff matchup, given both clubs' status as contenders.