Photo credit: Jayson Tatum (I nstagram)
Jayson Tatum has spoken out about one of the biggest changes of his NBA career. The Boston Celtics traded his longtime teammate and championship partner Jaylen Brown in a major offseason move.
Tatum addressed Brown’s departure for the first time on Tuesday night. He spoke while promoting his new children’s book in Newton, Massachusetts. The Celtics star admitted the trade was difficult to accept after nearly a decade together.
“It’s tough,” Tatum said. “But it just makes you appreciate the moments and time that we had. Obviously, it came to an abrupt ending, but it doesn’t mean that it wasn’t super successful.”
Jayson Tatum remembers Celtics championship journey with Jaylen Brown
Tatum and Brown became the foundation of Boston’s latest championship era. The pair joined forces as young stars and grew into two of the NBA’s top players.
During their nine seasons together, they helped the Celtics reach five Eastern Conference Finals. They also made two NBA Finals appearances and won the 2024 championship.
Tatum said losing Brown feels unusual because of their long history.
“To be honest, it’s weird,” Tatum said. “You play on a team with a guy for nine years. I was fortunate enough to go to the Finals with him twice, win a championship, and push each other to become better players.”
The Celtics made the trade after a disappointing first-round playoff loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Team president Brad Stevens decided to change the roster.
Boston sent Brown to Philadelphia in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks.
Tatum opens up about the emotional side of NBA trades
Tatum understands that basketball is also a business. However, he admitted that players still feel the impact of sudden changes.
“The NBA is an incredible business, it’s an incredible job, but there are some downsides to the business that we’re in,” Tatum said.
He explained that players often expect certain teammates to stay with them. Then, one day, everything changes.
“You find out that they’re no longer on your team anymore,” Tatum said. “And we’re all humans. We feel all those emotions.”
The Celtics star said returning to the team facility will feel different without Brown around. The two players shared years of competition, growth and success together.
Celtics and Jaylen Brown begin new chapters
Brown now starts a new chapter with the 76ers. He joins a roster featuring Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and V.J. Edgecombe.
Meanwhile, Tatum will lead a redesigned Celtics team. Boston added Paul George, Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley during the offseason.
Tatum said he will miss his former teammate but wants to embrace the future.
“The tough part is you miss teammates, but then you have new teammates,” Tatum said. “You want to welcome those guys and accept them and move forward with them.”
The Celtics’ championship duo may have ended sooner than expected. However, Tatum believes their accomplishments will always matter.
Their partnership helped create one of Boston’s strongest eras in recent history. For Tatum, those memories remain an important part of his career.
Source: Boston.com
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