Joe Mazzulla Says Jaylen Brown Trade Requires 'A Grieving Process' After Celtics-76ers Deal

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla believes the organization needs time to fully process Jaylen Brown's trade to the Philadelphia 76ers.

"There needs to be a grieving process for losing not just a player in Jaylen, but a person in Jaylen," he told The Athletic's Jay King. "There needs to be a grieving process that this guy, what he has done on the court and what he's done in the community and what he's done for the city of Boston, there should be a grieving process. But the … gray area is throughout that loss, you're also gaining."

Mazzulla suggested it will be impossible for the Celtics to fully replace Brown's influence.

"I think it's twofold. It's the on-court competitiveness, the mindset that he brings, and also just the icon that he was in the community," the coach said. "I think that's also why this was so difficult. The day something like this happens, and you just don't lose any sleep over it, is when you're in it for the wrong reasons. And I think that's the same for the organization. I think it's the same for the fans. I think it's the same for the city. The city cares about the people.

"There's a level of connectivity and inspiration there. So, the hurt makes a ton of sense because people care about each other. If we didn't care, it wouldn't hurt."

Brown attained franchise legend status during his 10-year run in Boston, and that's no easy feat given how many Hall of Famers have come through the door. The 29-year-old faced steady scrutiny, but there's no looking past his five All-Star nods and 2024 NBA Finals MVP as the Celtics lifted their 18th title.

Brown didn't get a sendoff befitting his contributions, but stars rarely do in sports.

"It's a crazy business, bro. Don't become a basketball player," he said to streamer iShowSpeed as they took in a World Cup match. "There's no loyalty, there's no love… They packed me up, sayonara chat, I'm out of here."

For Brown's teammates and coaches, the trade won't begin to fully sink in until training camp gets underway and he's not there. Everyone knows what's coming, yet it's going to be a little jarring at first when Paul George is effectively fulfilling a lot of duties that Brown did on the floor.