Jaylen Brown made it clear to the Celtics he wanted to be treated like a franchise player before Boston eventually sent him to the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster deal, according to a report from The Athletic’s Jay King.
That message reportedly came after the Celtics were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by Philadelphia, with Brown’s stance surfacing as trade chatter around the team intensified.
Brown, who had three years left on his five-year, $285 million contract when the move happened, has denied that he ever asked out of Boston.
Brad Stevens pushed back hard on the idea that the Celtics were souring on Brown. On June 23, as the rumors kept building and reports of a rift began to circulate, Boston’s president of basketball operations said the organization still held the five-time All-Star in extremely high regard.
"The one thing I want to make very clear is how valued (Brown has) always been," Stevens said at the time. "He's been amazing.
He's been an amazing teammate and a great person to be around. Whether that run ends 10 years from now when he retires or before, there's a lot to celebrate."
Eight days later, Boston completed the trade, sending Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks.
Brown then delivered a huge 2025-26 season, earning second-team All-NBA honors after averaging a career-best 28.7 points per game while Jayson Tatum was sidelined by injury.
Now Brown and Tatum are set to see each other for the first time Tuesday in Philadelphia, and both have worked to calm the noise around any supposed tension between them.
"There’s no beef," Brown said.
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