Moving on from a team where you spent a decade is not easy; Jaylen Brown’s words reflect that.
Brown has admitted he was disappointed by the way the Boston Celtics trade unfolded, but stopped short of saying he has moved on from the decision. The 2024 Finals MVP was sent to the Philadelphia 76ers last month in a deal that brought Paul George to Boston.
Brown played a major role in Boston’s championship run, averaging 20.8 points across five Finals games against the Dallas Mavericks. He also stepped up when Jayson Tatum was sidelined with an Achilles injury.
Now, after a month in Philadelphia, Brown has finally addressed the trade and left the door open for his new team to prove Boston made the wrong call.
Jaylen Brown admits Celtics trade left him disappointed
Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Brown was asked about the move and whether he had made peace with how it happened.
‘I was a little disappointed in how it all went down, but to answer your question, I guess we’ll find out,’ Brown said.
Those final words could prove significant once the new season begins.
Brown arrives in Philadelphia after averaging 28.7 points across 71 games during the 2025-26 season. He also shot 47.7 per cent from the field, 34.7 per cent from three-point range and 79.5 per cent from the free-throw line.
The 76ers now have another proven scorer who can create his own shot when games tighten up. Brown’s ability to defend across multiple positions also gives Philadelphia another option on the wing.
Meanwhile, Boston will rely on Paul George to help fill the role Brown previously occupied alongside Tatum.
That makes the upcoming season particularly important for both sides.
Philadelphia already has Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, while Brown gives the team another established option in high-pressure situations. The 76ers have also undergone a major transformation this summer as they look to build around their new core.
Embiid has reportedly made a significant physical transformation during the offseason, adding another layer of intrigue to Philadelphia’s plans.
Brown, meanwhile, now has a chance to settle the argument on the court.
He helped deliver Boston’s 2024 championship and was named Finals MVP. If Philadelphia succeeds while the Celtics struggle without him, the trade will look very different.
For now, Brown is not publicly declaring the Celtics made a mistake.
But his ‘we’ll find out’ response makes it clear that he is ready to let the new season provide the answer.
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