FILE— Boston, MA- 5/14/25- Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) dribbles during game five of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinal against the New York Knicks at TD Garden. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)
FILE— Boston, MA- 5/14/25- Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) dribbles during game five of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinal against the New York Knicks at TD Garden. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
Jaylen Brown has already established himself as a franchise fixture in Boston, with the Celtics star set to assume an even greater role this upcoming season with Jayson Tatum on the mend with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
But Brown — who hails from Marietta, Georgia — gave an interesting answer while making an appearance on the Big Tigger Morning Show with Jazzy McBee on V-103 FM about his future plans in the NBA.
Given his hometown ties to Georgia, radio host Darian Morgan asked Brown if there was “any chance we see you in a hometown uniform” — referencing the Atlanta Hawks.
“You never know,” Brown replied.
“I would love to see you play for the hometown,” Morgan noted.
“I feel you. I think my grandma would too,” Brown answered.
Morgan then asked if Brown’s grandmother had been in his ear about eventually playing for the Hawks.
“Yeah, but you never know. We’ll see,” Brown answered.
Brown is still a key piece on a Celtics team that’s being retooled, due to both Tatum’s injury and cap-related limitations that led to the offseason departures of lineup regulars in Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet.
Brown is still under contract for another four seasons in Boston, with the 28-year-old wing signing what was — at the time — the largest contract in NBA history with a five-year, $304 million supermax extension in July 2023.
Despite his standing as 2024 NBA Finals MVP, Brown has heard his name mentioned in trade rumors as of late — with both he and Derrick White listed as potential cap casualties this summer before Brad Stevens and Boston’s front office ultimately moved both Holiday and Porzingis’ contracts via trades.
But, earlier this summer, Stevens offered up a vote of confidence for Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and the rest of a reworked Celtics squad that could be overlooked going into the 2025-26 season.
“I mean, the last time that Jaylen Brown was on a team that was doubted was a long time ago, right? And the last time that Peyton Pritchard has been on a team that was doubted — he probably hasn’t been yet,” Stevens said in July. “And you go down the list, Derrick White and all these guys. So I’m excited to see what this team has in store.”
Speaking on V-103 FM, Brown shared enthusiasm about his expected role as Boston’s leader while the franchise awaits Tatum’s return to the parquet floor.
“I thought that we fought, we was in a lot of battles and there’s a lot to be excited for,” Brown said. “This journey is not the end it’s not the end for me. I’m looking forward to coming back stronger, so you just take this with your chin up.
“I know Boston, it looks gloomy right now, obviously with JT being out and us kind of ending the year, but it’s a lot to look forward to. I want the city to feel excited about that. This is not the end so I’m looking forward to what’s next.”
Conor Ryan can be reached at conor.ryan@globe.com.