Robert Parish has seen enough trades to know when one feels off, and the Celtics Hall of Famer made it clear where he stands on the noise surrounding Jaylen Brown.
Parish, who was acquired by Boston in a June 1980 deal with the Golden State Warriors that also brought the Celtics a first-round pick used on Kevin McHale, called the idea of moving Brown “disturbing” during an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
“It would be a serious miscalculation on Brad Stevens, management and ownership,” the four-time NBA champion said. “First of all, you don’t get rid of a talent like Jaylen Brown unless he asked to be moved.
Not to mention the backcourt where he and (Jayson) Tatum are a proven formula. So why would you want to make that move?
I find it disturbing, and it’s uncomfortable.”
Brown has been at the center of a flood of trade talk this summer, and Parish pushed back hard on the idea that Boston should even entertain it. He said he believes the Celtics should keep Brown and work to repair the relationship rather than chase a deal.
“I find [the Celtics shopping Jaylen Brown] disturbing”
Celtics legend @RobertParish00 tells @AndrewBogusch and @joevardon why he is adamant about Boston keeping Brown and both sides repairing their relationship
Hear our ongoing free agency coverage 👇 https://t.co/iveaXlI4MC pic.twitter.com/cwOYyqz67y
- SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) June 30, 2026
Brown recently said the constant rumors have been turning him into a “monster.”
Some Celtics fans wondered whether Boston might be able to smooth things over after the team missed out on two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. But Brown’s name has continued to surface in other reported trade discussions since then.
Parish also took aim at the way players are treated by teams when business gets cold.
“Not to mention I do not understand, never have, and probably never will, why ownership and management won’t respect and loyalty from the players,” Parish said. “But they only give you loyalty and respect when it’s in their best interest to do so.”
Parish spent 14 seasons in Boston from 1980 to 1994, making all nine of his All-Star teams with the Celtics and helping the franchise win three NBA championships.
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