Jayson Tatum Labels Jaylen Brown’s Departure From Celtics ‘Weird’

Jayson Tatum opened up on life without Jaylen Brown.

Jayson Tatum Labels Jaylen Brown’s Departure From Celtics ‘Weird’

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (Image credits - Firstsportz)

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown saw their incredible time together come to an end after nine years. Both Brown and Tatum were drafted by the Boston Celtics as number three picks in the 2016 and 2017 NBA drafts, respectively.

Both players are still very much in their primes. Hence, many believed that the Celtics’ championship window would continue for the next few years, with these two players leading the way. Unfortunately, the Celtics front office had other ideas and saw it differently.

At the 2026 ESPY Awards, Tatum was asked what it has been like after Brown’s exit.

If I’m being transparent, it’s weird. I’ve been on the Celtics for nine years and he was my teammate every single one of those. You understand throughout the course of your career that the NBA is a business and people change teams but it doesn’t make it any easier. It’s still a human element of it.. But it’s also a side you have to welcome our new teammates.

Jayson Tatum on ESPN

Jaylen Brown was coming off an incredible 2025-26 campaign. Not only did he lead the Celtics to a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference standings in the absence of Tatum for the majority of the season, but he also had his best individual season, came sixth in the MVP race, and established himself as one of the best two-way players in the league.

Therefore, when the Celtics decided to trade him to the Philadelphia 76ers, it shocked the NBA world and Brown as well. Despite spending nine years together, there have been reports that Tatum and Brown were not on the best of terms over the past year.

However, it is also common to see narratives being created in the media after a player is traded. Tatum revealed that he is ready to embrace his new team, but it will definitely feel weird heading into his tenth season without his partner in crime.

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Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown not hanging out off the court is not a big deal

While the media spoke about the poor relationship between the two players off the court, Tatum dismissed any such claims. The reports were further fueled when Brown liked a post criticizing his former teammate.

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green does not see any problem with reports of the two stars not hanging out together much off the court.

That sh*t don’t matter. We all have different lives…. Does not mean they didn’t like each other. It simply means we don’t carry the same interests off the basketball court. None of you people who sit and judge hangout with every colleague that you work with. But for some reason when it comes to basketball players, if two guys don’t hangout, it’s a big issue?

Draymond Green on The Draymond Green Show

Tatum did share a farewell message for Brown after his trade was confirmed. It was a heartfelt goodbye, and he thanked Brown for the time they spent and everything they had been through together.

Boston Celtics will regret breaking up Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown

When Jayson Tatum was drafted in 2017, the Celtics picked a talent that could lead the team for several years to come alongside Brown. The two saw success at an early age and have been to three Eastern Conference Finals, two NBA Finals, and won a championship in 2024. The two formed one of the most lethal duos in the NBA over the past decade.

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum make sense for the Celtics
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum (Image via FanDuel/X)

Former Celtics star and champion Kevin Garnett was left unhappy after the Celtics traded Brown to the 76ers.

I didn’t think there was a cause for him to be moved. The 76ers got better… ‘We gonna see y’all 4 times a year.’ To trade somebody in conference?… I wanted Jaylen Brown to retire as a Celtic.

Kevin Garnett on KG Certified

The Celtics have clearly strengthened their direct rivals by trading Brown to them. It remains to be seen how they proceed from here and compete next season with only Tatum leading the way.

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