Jaylen Brown Says He, Jayson Tatum Haven't Talked Since 76ers Trade, Talks Relationship

The Philadelphia 76ers officially introduced Jaylen Brown on Thursday after acquiring him via trade from the Boston Celtics last month for Paul George and four draft picks.

Brown was asked about a host of topics, including his relationship with ex-Celtics teammate and co-star Jayson Tatum. He told reporters that the two have "not really" been able to talk since the deal, which was agreed to on July 1 and made official on July 6.

Brown also admitted that he and Tatum, his teammate of nine seasons, had some "ups and downs" but also stressed the "respect" he has for him alongside well-wishes for the future.

"We won a championship together. Anybody that you win a championship with, you would think that's what a brotherhood or a lifelong legacy would entail," Brown said in response to a question reporter Bob Manning of CLNS Media Boston Sports Network (h/t Justin Turpin of WEEI).

"Obviously, there are ups and downs in any relationship, for sure. But on my end, it's nothing but respect, besides when he plays the Sixers. I hope he does well. But other than that, everything for me is just based in respect."

Brown and Tatum's former Celtics teammate, Grant Williams, provided his opinion on their relationship in a recent interview on SiriusXM NBA Radio.

"A lot of the current national media, to be able to have those conversations, is to create a story rather than just allow those players to have success and really to enjoy," Williams said, per NESN's Scott Rafferty. "You saw it back in the day with Kobe and Shaq — maybe they didn't like each other, but you saw it in other situations.

"That's something I can vividly say, is that I don't think those guys disliked each other at all."

It doesn't seem like there was any animosity between Tatum and Brown. Tatum himself has talked about growing up with Brown during an interview on the Pivot podcast, and he certainly didn't have anything negative to say about him.

Ultimately, their near-decade together is over. Brown is part of a potential new superteam in Philadelphia, which has a loaded starting lineup featuring himself, Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Joel Embiid and now LeBron James.

Tatum is the clear top superstar in Boston now with the likes of George, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard by his side.

It'll be interesting to see how Philadelphia and Boston fare now with Tatum and Brown split up, and fans will get multiple opportunities this season to see them face off as they both shoot for NBA championships.