Jaylen Brown Discusses Boston Exit, Trade To Sixers

But there’s nothing stopping Brown from discussing the deal, and he did just that on Thursday, first by sending out a statement on social media and later by appearing on a Twitch live stream.

“I’m still processing how this all went down,” Brown wrote in his initial statement (Twitter link). “I’m excited and disappointed at the same time. I earned my respect from this city. I never asked for shortcuts or special treatment. I simply showed up every day, put my head down, and accepted every challenge. The relationships I built here, the battles we fought together, the championship we brought to this city, and the connection I shared with the fans, I’ll carry on with me.

“Saying goodbye isn’t easy when you’ve invested your heart into something. I’m big on respect and actions speak louder than words. To the people of Boston, thank you. To the community I built here I love you, and to the shiftaz we are locked in for life.

“As one chapter closes, another begins. I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful for the opportunity to join Philadelphia. Every city has its own identity, its own passion, and its own expectation. I respect that, and I’m looking forward to earning that respect the only way I know how.. through the work. Philly – throw the ball up let’s get it!”

While that statement was relatively buttoned up, Brown got a little more candid on Twitch later in the day, confirming reporting from ESPN’s Shams Charania that suggested he felt somewhat disrespected by the way the process played out. The 10-year veteran was in trade rumors for several weeks, first as part of a potential package for Giannis Antetokounmpo, then as part of talks with various teams around the league as Boston seemed suddenly motivated to move him for the best possible return.

“There was definitely a message being sent, and that message was received,” Brown said, per Devon Henderson of The Athletic. “I wasn’t thrilled with the amount of respect that was shown during this process. I think there was a bit of a lack of respect. It was fine at one point, and then out of nowhere things just kind of went left. I think (president of basketball operations) Brad (Stevens) is probably getting a lot of the criticism. I wasn’t thrilled with the way he facilitated some of the conversations. But I definitely think there’s more to it.

“I just wish that the ‘more to it’ could have been explained to me. If the ‘more to it’ was explained, I think I would have understood. I thought I earned enough respect to get that explanation, but hey, obviously I was wrong.”

There were questions for years about the fit between Brown and fellow wing Jayson Tatum in Boston, but the star duo quieted that chatter with a 2024 championship. Two years later though, following a first-round playoff exit, Brown raised eyebrows by referring to 2025/26 as his “favorite season” of his career even after that abbreviated postseason run.

Brown later explained that he appreciated seeing his young teammates come into their own and the club exceed all expectations by winning 56 games, but his remarks were widely interpreted as evidence that he preferred the opportunity to become the Celtics’ go-to scorer and play-maker with Tatum out over winning a championship as Tatum’s co-star. Still, the five-time All-Star didn’t back down from those comments on Thursday.

“Still was my favorite season so far,” he said. “Next year may be different, but this past season was still my favorite season.”

Whether Brown’s comments – along with rumors that the 29-year-old was frustrated with the team – played a role in the Celtics’ decision to move him is an open question. But by all accounts, he didn’t request a trade out of Boston. And for what it’s worth, reporting earlier this week indicated that the organization didn’t view the trade as a “cost-cutting” move, despite the three years and $183MM left on Brown’s contract (George is owed nearly $111MM over two years). That same report stated that there was no directive from ownership to move Brown.

While Stevens may be able to shed more light on the Celtics’ thinking during his next media session, Brown is looking ahead to what next season may bring, acknowledging that it’ll be an adjustment to join the division-rival Sixers after trying to beat them for so many years.

“I’ve been programmed to hate Philadelphia,” Brown said with a laugh. “From the history of the rivalry to just the playoff battles, all of the above. The Process. I’ve been programmed to be like, ‘Man, f— The Process.’ So it’s funny now. I gotta reverse-engineer that. That’s the part that’s gonna take some time.”