LAS VEGAS — Jaylen Brown has never been in the No. 1 role consistently during his career with the Boston Celtics. That’s about to change next season with Jayson Tatum potentially sidelined for the entire year after suffering a torn Achilles in May.
The injury will thrust Brown into an even bigger role next season and the four-time All-Star is clearly eager for the opportunity. In a live stream with Kyrie Irving over the weekend, Brown spoke about why he believed his best basketball is still ahead of him.
“People haven’t seen me at my best because we have a loaded roster, so sometimes you need to do what needs to be done as a team,” Brown told Irving.
Brad Stevens spoke earlier this week about the confidence the team has in Brown while Tatum is sidelined.
“There’s no question that Jaylen will draw the most attention and that Jaylen will, I think, thrive in that,” Stevens said. “I think you saw him several times — certainly the few games in the playoffs where we had to play without JT, and I thought he did a good job, especially those two home games.
“I think he’s ready for any challenge, he always has been. I’m excited to see all these guys take a step up. Again, I’m excited to see a chip on their shoulder. I think we’ve always had it, we’ve got a competitive group, with a competitive mindset, but maybe had much higher expectations or some higher expectations. So I’m excited to see us getting ready to go and Jaylen will be a big part of that.”
The Celtics during the 2025-26 season will arguably be the least talented roster that Brown has played with during his career as currently composed. Four rotation players from last year’s team are no longer in Boston (Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Luke Kornet, Al Horford) and Tatum remains out indefinitely as he recovers from his Achilles.
With limited trade additions (Anfernee Simons, Georges Niang) and modest free agent signings, the Celtics will definitely need a lot more from Brown to compete in the East playoff picture. Whether he’s able to improve his game in an expanded role while opposing defenses can hone in on him more will be a fascinating storyline to watch.
Brown underwent knee surgery in July to repair a torn meniscus and is expected to be fully healthy for the start of Celtics training camp in October.
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