Celtics' Jayson Tatum faces biggest test of career after Jaylen Brown trade

The Boston Celtics made one of the biggest moves of the NBA offseason by trading away franchise cornerstone piece Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers. While many questioned Boston's return on the blockbuster deal, the trade leaves Jayson Tatum as the unquestioned face and leader of the franchise heading into 2026. With Brown gone and expectations remaining high, the pressure on Tatum has never been greater. How much is riding on Boston's superstar? 

Boston believed that Tatum was better than Brown after all

Jaylen Brown is fresh off having his best statistical campaign during the 2025-26 season. Tatum missed the bulk of last season due to a right Achilles tear he suffered during Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks. In Tatum's absence, Brown aided Boston to a 41-21 record while averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. The 2016 third overall pick earned Second-Team All-NBA honors for the second time in his career. 

However, Boston still decided that Tatum was more valuable than Brown, even after a career-altering injury that hindered him from competing in Game 7 in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs last postseason. 

Despite the Celtics having won the NBA championship in 2024 and Brown earning Finals MVP honors, Tatum was arguably the most impactful player for the Celtics. In the five-game Finals series against the Dallas Mavericks, Tatum averaged 7.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game despite shooting just 38.8% from the field. Tatum's ability to impact the game as a playmaker, defender and rebounder effectively helped him finish the 2024 postseason with a league-best plus-minus of +206. 

The partnership between Brown and Tatum can be argued as one of the defining duos of this generation. Since becoming teammates in 2017, the Celtics have appeared in the Eastern Conference Finals five times and the NBA Finals twice, ultimately capturing the franchise's 18th title in 2024. 

It's also fair to wonder whether Brown's outspoken presence on social media may have played a role in Boston's stunning decision to move him for so little value in return. Regardless of the trade, the spotlight now shifts entirely to Tatum, who will be asked to lead the Celtics for the first time without Brown by his side. 

What the 2026-27 Boston Celtics could look like

Tatum playing basketball last season despite coming off a devastating injury is impressive. However, Tatum didn't seem like his old self since returning. In 16 regular-season games, Tatum averaged 21.8 points and 10 rebounds, but shot just 41.1% from the field and 32.9% from three-point range.

In the trade with Philadelphia, Boston received Paul George along with a pair of future first and second-round picks. As currently constructed, the Celtics starting line-up looks to be Payton Pritchard (PG), Derrick White (SG), Paul George (SF), Tatum (PF) and Neemias Queta (C). 

With Brown no longer in the fold, it is fair to assume that Tatum will be the unit's primary offensive engine. The biggest question is, can a 36-year-old George be a reliable sidekick alongside Tatum? In 2025, George averaged 17.3 points while shooting 43.9% from the field and appearing in only 37 regular-season games. 

Pritchard averaged a career-high 17 points per game last season and appears poised for a bigger role, while White remains one of the league's best defenders. Queta also made solid contributions, averaging 10 points and eight rebounds per game. However, following his contact extension, Boston will likely need even more production from the 26-year-old. 

It will be interesting to see how Boston adjusts to life without Brown and Tatum at the forefront.