​Boston, Massachusetts — On March 18, 2024, Jaylen Brown, wearing number 7 for the Boston Celtics, dribbled against the Detroit Pistons in the second quarter at TD Garden in Boston. This caption and image licensing note from Getty Images accompanies the photo, and by downloading or using the photograph, the user agrees to the Getty Images License Agreement. The image is credited to Maddie Meyer/Getty Images.
Later, on September 29, 2025, at the Celtics’ media day at the Auerbach Center in Boston, Jordan Walsh, wearing number 27, was seen smiling as he spoke with reporters. The photo is credited to Winslow Townson/Getty Images, and an identical licensing note states that by downloading or using the photograph, the user consents to the Getty Images License Agreement.
Earlier in the month, the Celtics traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers. Brown, who had spent his entire ten-year professional career in Boston, was the 2024 NBA Finals MVP. In the previous season, he posted averages of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.0 steal per game, while shooting 47.7 percent from the field across 71 appearances.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on July 1 that Boston agreed to trade Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks, according to sources.
In the wake of that trade, Jordan Walsh addressed the media during NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, speaking with the Celtics’ representatives. When asked about the trade (via Celtics on CLNS), Walsh acknowledged the difficulty of losing a close mentor and teammate. “I mean, it’s tough. It’s really tough, especially when it’s a guy you’re really close to and who’s mentored you and done a lot for you. But there’s a basketball truth—that the business of basketball can be bigger than the game itself. Sometimes the business dictates how players move, and that may or may not be the case here. I don’t know for sure, but I do know I’m going to miss him. He’s someone I’m really close to, and we wish him the best. If we happen to see him on the court, then he’ll receive the same respect.”
Brown, who was the third overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft after playing one season at California, earned five All-Star selections and played in 142 NBA playoff games for the Celtics. The Celtics later highlighted Walsh’s emergence; Walsh had been selected 38th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft out of Arkansas and has spent three seasons with the Celtics. Last season, Walsh averaged 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds, continuing to develop his game for enhanced performance and potential greater impact on the court.