Does the Boston Celtics executive need to change anything as a result of what happened with his former star?
While firm details are scarce, there is some informed speculation out there as to what bothered former star Jaylen Brown about his breakup from the Boston Celtics this summer.
Brown spoke to the media on Thursday about his trade to the Philadelphia 76ers, but elected to keep his own thoughts to himself.
But, it seems as if Brown was disappointed with a lack of communication from the team's executives as the trade process unfolded. As the offseason rumor mill continued, Brown was clearly disappointed to hear his name circulate so much in media circles - with much of the conversation negative.
So, is there anything that Celtics' head executive Brad Stevens can learn from this scenario?
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and forward Jayson Tatum (0) react during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzliesat FedExForum. Petre Thomas-Imagn ImagesYes, but he probably won't use it again
Of course. You can always reflect and realize what you could have done differently, however, Brown's situation was so unique that Stevens likely won't find himself in it again.
Brown has plenty of experience making tough decisions, and has never faced backlash from players before to our knowledge. He's cut or traded highly-respected veterans like Malcolm Brogdon, Marcus Smart, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, so he's no stranger to those kind of decisions, but none of those players had the same level of accomplishment in Boston as Brown, or the same level of relationship with Stevens.
Brown was drafted and developed by the Celtics with the No. 3 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, turned into a five-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA selection and an NBA champion. He won NBA Finals MVP in 2023-24 - and making things more difficult for Stevens is the fact that Brown played for him for the first half of his career.
Stevens has known Brown since his rookie year and has a different relationship with him than he has with almost any other player in the league. Therefore, whatever Stevens learns from this scenario is unlikely to be needed again - unless he decides to move on from Jayson Tatum some day, who also fits the same criteria as Brown.
Also in the news for the Celtics
Speaking of Brown and Tatum, Brown said on Thursday that he hasn't really spoken to Tatum since the trade went down. He said that he roots for Tatum's success in any situation, except when playing the 76ers, but he did nothing to disprove the idea that the two players had a somewhat frosty relationship.
