Jayson Tatum Says 'I Love' Jaylen Brown in New Video amid Rumors After Celtics' Trade with 76ers

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum looked back fondly on his time together with Jaylen Brown following Brown's trade to the Philadelphia 76ers.

"For me, I love that guy," Tatum said on The Dan Patrick Show. "What we were able to accomplish together in nine years ... you can't talk about him without talking about me and vice versa."

During his introductory press conference in Philly, Brown told reporters his rapport with Tatum ebbed and flowed like any other dynamic between longtime teammates. He ultimately has "nothing but respect" for Tatum and said the championship they won in 2023-24 will always bind them together.

While there isn't any evidence Brown and Tatum were openly at odds, Brown's exit reinforced the narrative a parting of ways was needed.

The 2024 NBA Finals MVP caused a stir when he described 2025-26 as his "favorite season" despite Boston losing in the first round of the playoffs. Tatum was sidelined for all but 16 games, so Brown was afforded a bigger role and spotlight than he had ever had on the Celtics.

Read between the lines and he seemed to relish being the No. 1 guy. Tatum having fully recovered from his Achilles injury meant that was unlikely to carry over into next season.

ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported in July "the belief around the league" was that the Celtics thought it was time to split the two up.

Brown and Tatum are now standing in each other's way as their respective teams attempt to fulfill their title aspirations. Once they're retired and they've had time to reflect on their careers, whatever tension they had will probably be forgotten.