Jaylen Brown’s stunning trade to the Philadelphia 76ers has immediately placed his relationship with former Boston Celtics co-star Jayson Tatum under the microscope.
Now, outspoken ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has offered his perspective on what may actually be behind the perceived tension surrounding the two longtime teammates.
Stephen A. Smith Drops Bold Truth on Jaylen Brown And Jayson Tatum After Trade
Brown had previously made it clear that he remained loyal to the Celtics even as Boston explored different options involving its veteran star.
However, the situation ultimately took a dramatic turn when the Celtics traded Brown to one of their biggest rivals, the Philadelphia 76ers, in exchange for Paul George, two first-round draft picks, and two second-round draft picks.
During his introductory press conference with the Sixers, Brown admitted he was still trying to fully process the shocking trade. The former Celtics star revealed he was so taken aback by the news that he tossed his phone across the room.
Brown also offered his first public comments about his relationship with Tatum since the blockbuster trade.
Acknowledging that they had “not really” spoken since the deal was completed, Brown was also quick to make it clear that the lack of communication should not be interpreted as hostility.
On the latest episode of ESPN’s “First Take,” analyst Stephen A. Smith provided his own interpretation of the relationship between Tatum and Brown following the trade.
Smith argued that the frustration should not necessarily be viewed as a personal issue between the two stars, but something connected to how Brown’s personality and approach may have been perceived within the Celtics organization.
“I don’t believe there’s any animosity with the two,” Smith said. “I think Jaylen Brown highlighted it weeks ago in terms of articulating the difference in their personalities. He’s more of an activist…”
“Where I think the resentment comes in, it’s not toward Jayson Tatum, it’s toward a system that doesn’t appreciate Jaylen Brown.”@stephenasmith comments on Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum’s relationship 👀 pic.twitter.com/Amcjirn41P
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 7, 2026
“Jayson Tatum is relatively quiet, family man, goes about the business of doing his job as exceptionally as he does and moves on. Where I think the resentment comes in it’s not towards Jayson Tatum. It’s towards a system that doesn’t appreciate what Jaylen Brown brings to the table.”
Brown and Tatum spent nine seasons together as the central pieces of Boston’s core after the Celtics selected them back-to-back in the 2016 and 2017 NBA Drafts. Together, the two helped Boston win the 2024 NBA championship, with Brown winning the Finals MVP.
Nonetheless, the relationship between Tatum and Brown has remained a major talking point since Boston traded Brown.
Despite the speculation surrounding the decision, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens revealed that Tatum did not influence the organization’s shocking decision to trade his longtime co-star.
For years, Brown and Tatum stood together as the faces of Boston’s rivalry with Philadelphia. However, now their paths have completely changed.
The former teammates will no longer be fighting together for Boston; instead, they will find themselves on opposite sides of one of the NBA’s most historic rivalries.
