Jaylen Brown has opened up about his relationship with former Boston Celtics teammate Jayson Tatum for the first time since being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Speaking during his introductory press conference in Philadelphia, Brown acknowledged that he and Tatum have barely communicated since the deal but insisted there are no hard feelings.
“Not really,” Brown said when asked whether they had spoken. “We won a championship together. So anybody that you won a championship, you would think that’s what a brotherhood or a lifelong legacy would entail. Obviously there’s ups and downs in any type of relationship for sure. But on my end, it’s nothing but respect. Besides when he plays the Sixers, I hope he does well. But other than that, everything for me is just based in respect.”
Brown spent 10 seasons in Boston before the unexpected trade. Although his name had frequently appeared in rumors, he admitted the actual move still came as a shock.
“When I first got traded, I just threw my phone across the room,” Brown said.
Since joining Philadelphia, Brown has been communicating regularly with new teammates Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Joel Embiid and LeBron James. He recognizes that bringing so many established players together will require adjustments.
“Obviously it’s a lot of guys with talent and egos,” Brown said. “But to win, you got to be able to sacrifice, you got to be able to have trust and communicate. I want to come in transparent. I want to come in with my agenda on the table.”
Brown also declined to revisit his frustrations with how Boston handled the trade process, saying his attention has shifted toward his new team.
“To be honest, I’m moving on,” Brown said. “Maybe one day you share the details of how everything transpired and all the moving parts that took place in this. Obviously it’s a lot of speculation. I feel no need to chime in on it because I’m focused on what’s in front of me.”
Jaylen Brown Says No Contact With Jayson Tatum Since Trade, But ‘Nothing But Respect’ https://t.co/XnGFQW0H8n
— RealGM (@RealGM) August 6, 2026
