Jordan Walsh is walking into a bigger Celtics role with a fresh contract and, just as importantly, a missing presence in the locker room and on the team plane.
The 22-year-old forward signed a three-year, $16 million extension, a deal that puts real expectations on his shoulders heading into the upcoming season. Boston also moved on from Jaylen Brown, and for Walsh, that departure hits on a personal level as much as a basketball one. Brown had been the veteran who took Walsh under his wing after the Celtics selected him 38th overall in 2023.
Walsh barely saw the floor as a rookie, but he still came away with a championship, and over time he carved out a steadier bench role. He has often pointed to Brown’s mentorship as a big part of that growth, and the two were close enough to sit next to each other on flights. In an interview with NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg, Walsh talked about adjusting to life without that familiar seatmate.
“I don't know who's going to be. Whoever takes it first, it's all yours. But on missing (Brown's) presence or having that not felt, it is different because he's one of the guys who I was probably the closest with, maybe the second guy I was the closest with,” said Walsh.
He made it clear the appreciation goes beyond basketball.
“But for him to do so many things for me that he's done, on and off the court, I've always got to show love and appreciate that because he is the realest. He is one of the realest people I know. So, obviously, having him gone, that's a blow.”
Walsh also acknowledged that the NBA is a business and said he shouldn’t be fully attached to anyone, but that doesn’t make the exits any easier. He said it “sucks” to see Brown leave, and he said the same about Xavier Tillman, who is now playing in Turkey.
“Just it being a business doesn't make it any easier, them leaving. It's tough,” added Walsh.
Last season, Walsh averaged 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 17.8 minutes across 68 games.
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