Jaylen Brown said goodbye to Boston on Thursday, admitting he was “still processing how this all went down,” a day after being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Brown, linked all offseason to a possible trade to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, had his best pro season in 2025-26 as he led the team with Jayson Tatum out due to an injury until his return on March 6.
Once Antetokounmpo was dealt to the Miami Heat, the Celtics engaged in trade talks with other teams.
Brown, 29, said he was invested in the Celtics and the city of Boston.
“I’m excited and disappointed at the same time. I earned my respect from this city,” he wrote in his statement. “I never asked for shortcuts or special treatment. I simply showed up every day, put my head down, and accepted every challenge.
“The relationships I built here, the battles we fought together, the championship we brought to this city, and the connection I shared with the fans, I’ll carry on with me.”
The Celtics finished last season with a 56-26 record, four games behind the Detroit Pistons and a favorite to play for the NBA title. Instead, they were sent home in the first round of the playoffs, losing to the 76ers in seven games.
Trading Brown for Antetokounmpo potentially could have given the Celtics the piece they needed to win a championships. Fans and analysts have been highly critical of the Wednesday trade, which sends Brown to Philadelphia for 36-year-old Paul George, two first-round picks (2028, which could be a swap that is more favorable for Boston, and an unprotected 2031 pick) and two second-round picks (2028 and 2030) to Boston for Brown.
George has suffered several injuries since the 2018-19 season, when he played in 77 games, and has been limited to 56 games or fewer in six of his seven seasons since then. He played 74 games in 2023-24. In his two seasons with the 76ers, George appeared in 78 total games.
Brown finished sixth in NBA MVP voting in 2026 after averaging a career-high 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. He is a five-time All-Star.
“Saying goodbye isn’t easy when you’ve invested your heart into something,” Brown said. “I’m big on respect and actions speak louder than words. To the people of Boston, thank you. To the community I built here I love you.”
Brown said he is ready to embrace his new team.
“I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful for the opportunity to join Philadelphia. Every city has its own identity, its own passion, and its own expectation. I respect that, and I’m looking forward to earning that respect the only way I know how … through the work.”
