Doc Rivers shares initial Celtics-Jaylen Brown trade reaction with Tommy Heinsohn 76ers story originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Celtics' Jaylen Brown trade was rather unprecedented for various reasons. Not only has the organization typically been one bringing in superstars rather than trading them away, but the team Brown was traded to was also stunning. Considering the historic rivalry between Boston and Philadelphia, dating back to the early days of the NBA, they have never agreed to a trade of the magnitude they did this summer, with Brown now set to contribute to a likely title contender alongside LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Doc Rivers, who coached the 2008 Celtics to a championship, had a similar reaction to most fans: shock. Rivers recently shared his initial reaction to the Brown trade with reporters. "I was surprised, like everybody else. And I was surprised that they did it with Philly," Rivers said. The legendary NBA coach added that when he heard the news of the Celtics-76ers trade, he thought of one of the most beloved figures in Celtics history: Tommy Heinsohn, who was associated with the franchise as a player, coach and broadcaster for decades, nicknamed "Mr. Celtic." Rivers said at the time of the Brown trade, he recalled a moment he had with Heinsohn when he was Celtics head coach. "I remember losing one day to the Sixers," Rivers said. "[Tommy] looked at me and said, 'Don't ever lose to the Sixers.' And I'm thinking, this trade would have drove him crazy."
Doc Rivers says Tommy Heinsohn would’ve HATED the Jaylen Brown to 76ers trade. https://t.co/UAlQvoX7fwpic.twitter.com/HgTnJlo9EA — NBA History on CLNS (@NBAHistoryCLNS) August 14, 2026 Rivers, 64, will officially be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this month, announced as an inductee in April. He heads into the 2026-27 NBA season with an uncertain coaching future, departing from the Bucks after 2025-26 but not announcing any future coaching plans.