Jayson Tatum Reacts to Jaylen Brown 76ers Trade in IG Photo, Reminisces on Celtics Tenure

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum bid farewell to his former teammate Jaylen Brown in a Friday post on his Instagram story.

"9 years! Forever grateful for all that we accomplished together, for pushing me to be a better player," Tatum wrote. "From first round exits to winning a chip together I'm thankful for it all.

"Nothing but love and respect for you as a player and as a person! Looking forward to see how you attack this next chapter of your career and wish nothing but the best for you! Continue to be special!"

The Celtics traded Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday in exchange for a package including Paul George and two first-round picks.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Thursday the Celtics had received and "shut down" potential trades involving Tatum this offseason while openly listening to offers on Brown.

"Whether it was personal situations between the two players or whether it was just the on-court basketball fit, the Celtics had just made the determination that moving forward they can no longer win a championship with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum," Charania said.

Brown and Tatum played nine seasons together in Boston, including a 2024 title run during which Tatum led the team in scoring while Brown took home the Finals MVP trophy.

The two were apart for most of Brown's final season with the Celtics as Tatum recovered from the ruptured Achilles tendon that ended his 2025 postseason.

Tatum returned after 10 months of rehabilitation in March, although knee stiffness sidelined him again at the end of the Celtics' first-round loss to the 76ers.

While Tatum was sidelined, Brown took on a new role as the centerpiece of the Celtics' offsense.

Brown said in a Thursday night Twitch livestream his final season in Boston had been his "favorite season so far" in part because of his teammates "growing and allowing me to lead them."

He also said he felt there "was a bit of a lack of respect" in how the Celtics organization handled his trade to the Sixers.

When talking about which players had reached out to him from the Celtics, Brown named Neemias Queta and Luka Garza but did not mention any contact from Tatum.

Brown will now look to slot in alongside Joel Embiid and Dean Wade in a new-look Sixers frontcourt, while Tatum will prepare to play alongside George and Mitchell Robinson this fall.