May 16, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts during the second quarter of game six in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Celtics' Jaylen Brown Offers Unfiltered Opinion On Lakers' Luka Doncic Deal

Originally posted on Boston Celtics on SI | By Jason Fray | Last updated Oct 2, 2025 11:00 AM ET

The trade earlier this year that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers truly sent shockwaves throughout the NBA.

Doncic was less than a year removed from leading the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals. There was no conceivable way that Dallas would opt to deal the face of its franchise — not to mention a multi-time All-NBA player and a guy not even yet in his full prime.

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Well, that narrative was shattered when Doncic was dealt for a package that included Anthony Davis. The shock of the move was very real for Doncic. It took him some time to fully acclimate to life with the Lakers, and even then, he's yet to fully demonstrate the brilliance he did with the Mavericks.

Jaylen Brown's reaction to the Luka Doncic trade, via Starting 5 on @netflix:

"That might be like one of the worst trades of all time."pic.twitter.com/hjOWQjg8EM
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) October 1, 2025

While the trade was utterly shocking for Doncic, his family, and Laker Nation, it was equally as mind-boggling for NBA players.

On a Netflix show entitled Starting 5, a host of basketball players are featured candidly with a behind-the-scenes look. Jaylen Brown was filmed when receiving news of the blockbuster deal between the Lakers and the Mavericks.

Completely and organically off-the-cuff, Brown said "that might be one of the worst trades of all-time."

Rarely is a professional athlete heard with their true feelings on something until they're retired. Whether this comment was meant to be filmed or not, it does reflect a feeling many had in the wake of the deal.

Doncic is about to hit his prime, whereas an injury-prone Anthony Davis is into his 30s.

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As it pertains to Brown, Doncic is very much a peer and a rival. The two play similar positions, are around the same age, and are easily two of the best young players in the league today. Doncic and Brown also squared toe-to-toe with one another when the Celtics bested the Mavs in last year's NBA Finals.

Now that Doncic is a member of the Lakers, the rivalry between himself and Brown could be ratcheted up even further given the history between the two franchises — not to mention that the Celtics and Lakers figure to be title contenders for the foreseeable future.

But fans won't have to wait for that to ensue in order to see these two players go at one another. The Lakers and Celtics will face each other twice this upcoming season.