For the primary time since getting into the NBA, Jayson Tatum is getting ready for a season with out Jaylen Brown by his facet.
After Boston traded Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this month, Tatum admitted the adjustment has been troublesome, talking truthfully in regards to the blockbuster transfer whereas attending the 2026 ESPY Awards.
“If I’m being clear, it’s bizarre,” Tatum mentioned. “I’ve been on the Celtics for 9 years and he was my teammate each single a type of.”
Brown and Tatum had been chosen by Boston with the No. 3 general choose in back-to-back drafts in 2016 and 2017, forming one of many league’s most profitable duos. Collectively, they helped restore the Celtics to championship competition and ultimately led the franchise to its 18th NBA title in 2024.
That partnership formally got here to an finish on July 6 when Boston dealt Brown to Philadelphia in change for veteran ahead Paul George, together with two future first-round picks and two future second-round picks.
Whereas Tatum understands why offers like this occur, he admitted that doesn’t make transferring on any simpler.
“The NBA is a enterprise. There’s nonetheless a human ingredient of it that you just really feel these feelings. The town feels these feelings,” Tatum mentioned. “However there’s additionally a facet of like, now we have to welcome our new teammates in with open arms, and we nonetheless should assault the brand new season.
“So, there’s like a stability. Nevertheless it’s bizarre.”
Regardless of acknowledging the emotional facet of the commerce, Tatum is aware of the Celtics have little selection however to maneuver ahead as they enter a brand new period.
Boston will head into the 2026-27 season with a dramatically completely different roster after parting methods with the 2024 NBA Finals MVP. The Celtics are hoping the additions of George and future draft belongings may also help reshape the franchise following a disappointing first-round playoff exit final season.
Brown, in the meantime, joins a Philadelphia crew constructed round Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, with the Sixers additionally remaining within the dialog for LeBron James in free company.
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