Tatum reflects on partnership with Brown after trade to 76ers

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum expressed deep affection for his former teammate Jaylen Brown, reflecting on their nine-year partnership that culminated in an NBA championship. In an interview on The Dan Patrick Show on September 17, 2026, Tatum addressed the trade that sent Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers on July 1, a move that surprised many fans. "For me, I love that guy," Tatum said when asked about the biggest misconception regarding his relationship with Brown. "What we were able to accomplish together in nine years, we went to the conference finals five times, we went to the championship twice, we won a championship, we've shared All-Star Games. You can't talk about him without talking about me, and vice versa." The trade, which broke up one of the league's most successful duos, was attributed to financial constraints imposed by the NBA's collective bargaining agreement. Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has explained that maintaining two players on max or supermax contracts created severe roster-building limitations. Tatum acknowledged this reality, stating, "Unfortunately, the business of basketball is always going to play a part.