As other Eastern Conference teams made serious moves over the past few years, the Boston Celtics watched. Their hated rival, the New York Knicks, won an NBA title.
Furthermore, the Miami Heat added superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in a massive trade. Boston has tried to reshape its roster through blockbuster trades.
Kendrick Perkins Believes the Boston Celtics Betrayed Guard Jaylen Brown
Multiple offseasons saw them offer star Jaylen Brown as a trade chip. After being rebuffed by potential suitors twice, Brown remains a Celtic. A former Boston player offers his take on what Brown and the Celtics need to do next.
Through his decade in Boston, Brown has averaged 20 points per game. He is a five-time All-Star and a key cog in their last NBA title run. Yet, the organization uses him as trade bait. Perkins, who played eight seasons in Boston, winning a championship, believes the Celtics wronged Brown.
“This relationship is over. … How many times is Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics gonna give Jaylen Brown a hug with a knife in his back?”
—@KendrickPerkins on the Celtics’ looking to trade Jaylen Brown 👀 pic.twitter.com/t1k7Kc6Ij4
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 24, 2026
“This relationship is over. There’s no coming back to this. How many times is Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics gonna give Jaylen Brown a hug with a knife in his back?” questioned the former-player-turned-ESPN analyst.
Some trade rumors date back to 2018, when Kawhi Leonard forced his way out of San Antonio. According to Bleacher Report, Boston needed Leonard to commit to staying with the Celtics for Brown to be included.
“If I’m Jaylen Brown, I want out of Boston. I don’t feel appreciated. A lot of it has to do with him running his mouth, outside the lines, I’m pretty sure,” declared the analyst. Brown earned a reputation for being outspoken.
For example, in May, he was fined by the NBA for criticizing officials. However, that isn’t the only time the veteran guard spoke up about various topics. Last year, he gave an interview to SB Nation, in which he said he wasn’t happy with how the Celtics used him and blamed his politics and belief system as underlying causes.
“Jaylen Brown, to me, said things, after they were eliminated, that rubbed people the wrong way,” said Perkins. After Boston’s season ended in the playoffs, Brown mentioned that last season was his favorite.
Jayson Tatum only played 16 regular-season games, followed by six in the postseason. Brown’s statement could imply that he was the No. 1 option because of Tatum’s injury, and that the offense flowed through him. In previous years, the Celtics centered the ball through Tatum.
Once again, according to rumors, Boston dangled Brown in trade discussions to no avail. After the team was unable to trade him, Brown issued a warning to his team. Can we return to the fold and help the Celtics start winning, or are there too many hurt feelings?
