​For nine seasons, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown defined the Boston Celtics, personifying the franchise and steering it into a new era of sustained excellence that included an NBA championship. Now, that storied partnership has ended. Following Brown’s surprising trade to the Philadelphia 76ers, both he and Celtics president Brad Stevens spoke publicly about the deal, but Tatum had not offered a public comment—until now. On Tuesday, during a Q&A while promoting his new children’s book, Tatum broke his silence about the trade. When asked about Brown’s departure, he described the situation as “weird,” noting it felt strange to no longer share a court with Brown after nine seasons. “To be honest, weird. It’s weird,” Tatum said. “You play on a team with a guy for 9 years. I was fortunate enough to go to the finals with him twice, and win a championship, and push each other to be the players that we are today.”
Tatum also reflected on the NBA as a business, acknowledging that while he has an incredible job, it’s hard not to feel emotions when a longtime teammate is traded away. “It’s tough. But it just makes you appreciate the moments and time that we had,” he said. “Obviously, it came to an abrupt ending, but it doesn’t mean that it wasn’t super successful. Great years, obviously, that he gave to the city and to the organization.” He continued by addressing the balancing act of grief for Brown’s departure with a sense of excitement for the newcomers joining the Celtics. “You want to welcome those guys and accept them and move forward with them,” Tatum stated.
The Celtics’ recent moves point to a new chapter. The team acquired veteran Paul George in the Brown trade with the 76ers and added both Mike Conley and Mitchell Robinson in free agency, shaping a roster that appears primed for the upcoming season. Stevens did acknowledge the possibility of further moves, but also expressed satisfaction with the current core, saying, “we like the group we have” when asked about the roster.
Looking ahead, the question remains: can this new Celtics squad reach even higher heights? Tatum’s remarks suggest that, while the adjustment will take time, the organization remains confident in its direction. The absence of Brown will inevitably redefine the Celtics’ dynamic, and Tatum’s introspection reflects the mutual respect and fond memories of a partnership that helped establish a standard of excellence for the franchise. The upcoming season will test how quickly the Celtics’ mix of established veterans and exciting newcomers can gel, and whether they can maintain the winning momentum that Brown and Tatum helped build together. As fans and analysts await the first signs of real chemistry on the court, Tatum’s candid reflections underscored the emotional realities of a sport where long-standing duos can redefine reputations, legacies, and a franchise’s trajectory.