ESPN insider Shams Charania says former Celtics Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum last met in late June over dinner in France, after Boston’s attempt to land Giannis Antetokounmpo collapsed, according to Kris Rhim’s report on Twitter.
Brown anchored Boston’s trade package and wanted to gauge Tatum’s knowledge of the negotiations. Charania notes their off‑court bond shifted after the 2024 Finals, where Brown earned MVP honors.
A few weeks later Brown was shipped to the Sixers, and the two clubs clash for the first time this regular season tonight.
Here’s the latest on Boston’s saga:
- Rhim’s deep dive reveals Brown demanded a say in his destination, a request the Celtics ignored before sending him to a division rival. For my money, his fresh start in Philadelphia could spark a new era. “I’m the new guy here, so I’m adjusting,” Brown said, adding he aims to complement what the Sixers have already built.
- The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn points to dwindling on‑court chemistry and Brown’s underwhelming analytics as factors in the trade. The front office deemed the duo a relic unable to capture another title.
- Paul George, acquired in the Brown deal, says he holds “no ill will” toward Philadelphia, per Keith Pompey’s tweet. “I was here two years, not the luckiest stretch, but the fan base is huge and the city loves sports. No hard feelings—just another game to enjoy,” he explained.
- Veteran guard Mike Conley earned a surprise start against Milwaukee in Boston’s 20‑point win, a move coach Joe Mazzulla made after praising Conley’s defensive effort in the prior Charlotte game. “They asked me if I was ready to start,” Conley laughed, “I thought they were joking.” What will Boston’s rotation look like moving forward?