Jaylen Brown has broken his silence on the trade that sent him from the Boston Celtics to the Philadelphia 76ers, discussing his exit from Boston, his bond with Jayson Tatum, and the pressure of joining a roster full of elite talent.
Brown addressed reporters for the first time as a 76er on Thursday, following a busy start to his Philadelphia tenure that included helping recruit LeBron James. With James now on board and the roster taking shape, Brown talked about the road ahead and stressed that the team must focus on effort rather than its star-studded lineup.
Jaylen Brown reflects on leaving the Celtics
Brown admitted that he and Jayson Tatum have not spoken much since the deal was completed. Despite their shared success in Boston, including a championship run, Brown said his respect for his former teammate has not faded.
“We won a title together,” Brown said, noting that relationships go through different phases. He added that he wishes Tatum well, except when they face each other on the court, and insisted there is no bad blood on his end.
Brown was less open about the details of his exit from Boston. When asked what specifically bothered him about how things ended, he responded simply with “the whole process.”
The forward acknowledged the chatter around the Celtics’ decision to move him but declined to elaborate. Instead, he expressed gratitude for his ten years in Boston, calling that stretch a “complete chapter” and highlighting the championship as a meaningful conclusion to his time there.
Trade from Celtics leaves Brown looking ahead
Brown’s departure came after his name surfaced in trade talks involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, before the Celtics ultimately dealt him to Philadelphia. While he voiced frustration with how the situation was managed, he made it clear that his focus is now on his new chapter.
He said he might share more details later about the trade and the factors behind it, but for now he sees no benefit in fueling further speculation. His priority is looking forward, not rehashing the past.
That shift also places Brown in an unfamiliar setting. Instead of being the focal point of a team built around him, he has joined a 76ers squad featuring LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe.
Brown dismissed the idea that Philadelphia must determine whose team it is. In his view, success will come through respect, communication, trust, and a willingness to share the spotlight, rather than through naming one player as the leader.
Brown talks Joel Embiid and his new 76ers teammates
Brown also touched on his relationship with Joel Embiid, despite previously calling out the 76ers center for flopping after Boston’s first-round playoff series against Philadelphia. Brown had said flopping hurts the game and specifically mentioned Embiid’s tendency to draw fouls.
There was no sign of lingering friction during Brown’s introduction to the team. He revealed that Embiid reached out on the day of the trade, and the two had a phone conversation. Brown said they have been friendly over the years and share mutual respect, with their shared interest in soccer giving them something extra to talk about.
Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe were among the first teammates to welcome Brown after the deal. However, Brown joked that his immediate reaction to the trade was to toss his phone aside because he was overwhelmed by the flood of messages.
Since then, communication has picked up significantly. Brown said the new 76ers players are in touch “almost every day” as they try to build chemistry before the season starts. He also praised James for being an active voice in the team’s group chat.
76ers success depends on more than star power
Philadelphia’s revamped lineup has raised expectations, but Brown is not letting the team’s talent create false confidence. He admitted that the 76ers look strong “on paper,” while stressing that appearances alone will not lead to victories.
For Brown, the real challenge is developing the habits that turn individual skill into a cohesive unit. He cited hard work, honesty, and leadership as key factors and warned that internal distractions could derail the team’s potential.
The former Celtic also expects his own game to require adjustments. With so many capable players competing for touches, everyone will need to adapt, and Brown understands that his role may involve even more defensive effort.
His mindset is simple: prioritize winning over personal numbers or recognition. Brown said his goal is to approach every practice, meeting, shootaround, and film session with one question in mind – how can Philadelphia win consistently, no matter what that means for his individual role.
Jaylen Brown targets championship in Philadelphia
Brown views the opportunity in Philadelphia as something to be earned, not given. He wants to learn from James and his other teammates while fostering the trust needed for a group of high-level players to function as one.
The 76ers may look dangerous on paper, but Brown kept returning to the same point: they cannot skip the hard work required to become a championship team. Talent creates a chance, but it cannot replace daily effort.
For Brown, the ultimate goal is no longer about personal accolades. He wants to be part of something bigger and believes that winning a title is the only thing that truly drives him at this stage of his career.
“We have a lot of talent,” Brown said, while reiterating that the team must put in the work to turn potential into results. For the new 76ers star, getting everyone aligned will be the first major step toward transforming an impressive roster into a winning team.