NBA legend Isiah Thomas believes the Boston Celtics could have handled Jaylen Brown's departure much better, criticizing the organization for the way the longtime franchise star was treated before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Thomas said Boston's handling of the situation was unusual for an organization that has historically been viewed as one of the NBA's standards.
"It definitely could've been handled better, and I think for all of us, we've never seen the Celtics organization act this way," Thomas said. "The Celtics have always been the model."
"I think Jaylen Brown, he was an innocent bystander in all of this. He caught some strays and people going by just taking shots," he added.
Brown's Celtics tenure ended with blockbuster trade
Brown spent the first 10 seasons of his NBA career in Boston after the Celtics selected him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
He developed into one of the faces of the franchise alongside Jayson Tatum, helping Boston reach multiple Eastern Conference Finals before winning the 2024 NBA championship. Brown was named Finals MVP during that title run.
However, his future became increasingly uncertain during the 2026 offseason. Boston eventually sent Brown to Philadelphia in a blockbuster deal that brought Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks back to the Celtics.
Brown reflects on 10 years in Boston
Jaylen Brown
Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
Brown himself addressed the emotional side of leaving Boston during his introductory press conference with the 76ers.
"It's been a process to be honest I'm still processing to some degree," Brown said. "One, the excitement of coming to a new city a new place, new expectations, new energy.
"And also leaving somewhere you've been for a very long time, I've been in Boston for 10 years I'm 29 years old so I was there a third of my life. I meet some people some life long friends people I'll still be connected to, but, you know, in anything you start something new it's an end of something else."
Brown spent his entire first decade in the NBA with the Celtics, becoming one of the franchise's key figures and helping Boston win the 2024 championship.
"I look back at Boston and I'm grateful," Brown added. "A lot of my most developmental years were in Boston. The relationships are still there, so are the connections.
"I'm very grateful for my 10 years in Boston. I have nothing but respect for Boston, but it's time to move forward."