celtics
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
A new report makes it seem like the relationship between Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown falling apart this year was why the Boston Celtics were so hell-bent on breaking up the successful duo before the 2026-27 season.
After Tatum returned to the floor late last season following a year of rehabilitating his ruptured Achilles, the Celtics looked like a real problem in the East before the 2026 playoffs. Tatum was playing well immediately after his return. Boston had a strong defensive team, and Brown was playing the best basketball of his career.
Then they shockingly blew a 3-1 lead to the Philadelphia 76ers in the semifinals. That moment made it obvious changes to the roster were necessary, and speculation quickly emerged that Boston would make a play for Milwaukee Bucks icon Giannis Antetokounmpo in the offseason.
When that summer trade pursuit failed, the expectation was that Boston would look to retool around their two talented stars still in their prime. But instead, the Celtics shopped the five-time All-Star. Even more surprising was the team agreeing to send him to the 76ers in a deal that got them a broken-down version of Paul George and just two first-round picks.
Jayson Tatum co-signed Boston Celtics trading Jaylen Brown
celtics
Oct 10, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) controls the ball past Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (11) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The trade made it seem like the organization was just ready to get rid of Brown at any cost, and wasn’t looking to take advantage of an expensive player with his trade value at a new peak. Since the move, there has been a lot of speculation on the why, including the front office simply being over his mercurial personality.
However, a recent report from ESPN’s Malika Andrews may have revealed the real reason. And that is Tatum was ready for the successful relationship to be over.
“I was in Philadelphia for media day. I asked Jaylen Brown whether or not he’d spoken to Jayson Tatum since the exit, and he was a little bit murky, but the essence was: ‘No, not really. I went my way, and he went his way,'” Andrews reported recently.
Jayson Tatum could have saved the Celtics’ big two if he wanted
celtics
Mar 25, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and forward Jayson Tatum (0) congratulate each other in the final seconds of the fourth quarter of their win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
When Brown revealed after the season that he enjoyed the 2025-26 campaign more than any other, many wondered if it would bother Tatum. Since it came when the latter was on the sidelines for much of the year.
Tatum is undoubtedly the face of the franchise and the Celtics’ prized jewel. When reports emerged that the team was still looking to move Brown after an Antetokounmpo trade didn’t happen, he could have easily stepped in to try and stop any move. The six-time All-Star had to know any trade was not going to make them better, and it would end a working relationship that saw him go to the NBA Finals twice and win a championship. Yet, the Celtics star just let it happen.
When the deal was made and he wasn’t upset, it only added to the belief that he had long come to terms with the idea that he would be better off not playing alongside Brown anymore. Then, when the two were on the same court together for a preseason matchup last week, they didn’t engage in a warm embrace and instead ignored each other; it confirmed what many thought. The Tatum-Brown relationship fell apart this spring, and Tatum was in favor of a trade.