Jayson Tatum bid farewell to his longtime teammate Jaylen Brown on Friday, July 3, after the Boston Celtics traded Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers. Tatum posted a throwback photo to his Instagram Story, expressing his gratitude for their time together.
What happened?
The Celtics traded Brown to the 76ers in exchange for Paul George, two first-round draft picks, and two second-round draft picks, as reported by ESPN's Shams Charania on Wednesday, July 1.
The trade marked the end of an era that saw Brown and Jayson Tatum lead the Celtics to multiple Eastern Conference Finals appearances and two NBA Finals appearances, winning the 2024 NBA title.
Why it matters for Jayson Tatum
Tatum's message to Brown came shortly after Brown expressed his feelings about the trade during a Twitch livestream on Thursday night, July 2. Brown read a written statement he had posted across his social media channels, airing out some grievances.
Brown specifically named Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, saying he wasn't thrilled with the way Stevens facilitated some of the conversations. Brown averaged a career-high 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists to lead the Celtics to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
What comes next?
Tatum missed a huge chunk of the past season while recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered in May 2025. Brown stepped into the No. 1 role, leading the Celtics to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics' magical year came to an end at the hands of the 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. Tatum wished Brown nothing but the best, looking forward to seeing how he attacks this next chapter of his career.
Tatum's farewell message to Brown was a heartfelt tribute to their time together as teammates. The trade marks a new era for the Celtics, with Tatum and George set to lead the team.
The Celtics will look to rebuild and make a push for the playoffs next season. Tatum and George will be key players in the team's success, and their performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
The trade has sent shockwaves throughout the NBA, with many teams looking to make moves to strengthen their rosters. The Celtics' decision to trade Brown has been met with mixed reactions, with some fans praising the move and others criticizing it.
The future of the Celtics looks uncertain, but one thing is clear: Jayson Tatum will be a key player in the team's success. His farewell message to Brown was a class act, and his performance on the court will be closely watched in the coming season.