Jaylen Brown Keeps Lines Open as Celtics Quash Rift Rumors
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Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said Wednesday that guard Jaylen Brown has not voiced any displeasure about his role with the organization, pushing back on speculation of a widening divide between the two sides.
Stevens told reporters he spoke with the five-time All-Star on Monday, two days after Boston’s first-round playoff exit against the Philadelphia 76ers, and described the conversation as “nothing but positive.”
“He has not expressed those frustrations to me,” Stevens said, adding that his office door remains open to every player on the roster.
Rumors spark after McGrady comments
Talk of Brown’s future intensified earlier Wednesday when Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady, a longtime mentor to Brown, suggested on his “Cousins” podcast that the 29-year-old’s “frustration lies deeply within the organization.”
McGrady said Brown felt under-recognized after leading the team while co-star Jayson Tatum recovered from Achilles surgery this season.
Career year ends in abrupt exit
With Tatum sidelined for much of the campaign, Brown averaged career highs of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists, guiding Boston to a 56-26 record and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
However, the Celtics squandered a 3-1 series lead and fell 109-100 in Game 7 at TD Garden on Saturday, marking Philadelphia’s first playoff series win over Boston since 1982. The loss snapped the Celtics’ perfect 32-0 record when leading 3-1 in a postseason series.
Brown’s public comments
Earlier this week, Brown used a Twitch stream to criticize officiating and accuse Sixers center Joel Embiid of flopping during the seven-game series. Stevens said Wednesday he supports players speaking candidly and is willing to continue discussions with Brown, who was named 2024 NBA Finals MVP when Boston won the title two seasons ago.
“We’ve been here 10 years together. I love JB, and everybody around here loves JB,” Stevens said. “If anybody wants to talk about their team or their place, I’m all ears.”
Source: ESPN
