Why Celtics Felt Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum Were 'Incapable' of 2nd NBA Title Revealed in New Rumors

Philadelphia 76ers star guard Jaylen Brown is facing his old franchise for the first time in Monday night's game against the Boston Celtics, and more details have emerged about the end of his tenure with the team.

Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe reported that part of the reason why the Celtics opted to trade Brown to the Sixers was that they didn't feel he and star forward Jayson Tatum would be able to win a second championship together.

"There was a belief inside the organization that the Celtics were incapable of winning another championship with the pairing," Washburn stated. "They were too similar and too predictable in the fourth quarter, when they would take turns trying to score against ramped-up defenses while their teammates watched. Their lack of success in the New York series in 2025 and the devastating Philadelphia series loss in the first round in May cemented the organization's thinking."

Brown and Tatum helped lead the Celtics to the 2024 NBA championship, with Brown taking home Finals MVP honors. Boston failed to advance past the second round of the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, creating questions about the duo's effectiveness.

According to Washburn, "The increasing lack of on-court chemistry and Brown's disappointing analytical numbers contributed to the Celtics pursuing the controversial trade. Sources say the front office felt the two-headed wing arsenal of Tatum and Brown had simply become a relic."

After going their separate ways, it doesn't appear that Brown and Tatum are missing their former partnership. Brown's Sixers lead the Atlantic Division with a 9-2 record, and he's been thriving while playing in a star-studded lineup that also includes LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Tatum has led the Celtics to an 8-2 record while serving as the team's No.1 option.

Brown indicated there was no love lost between him and his former teammate when he told reporters that he had no plans to speak to Tatum ahead of Monday's game.

"It's nothing to talk about. I mean, he's on his side, I'm on my side," Brown said after scoring 29 points in Sunday's 127-121 win over the Chicago Bulls. "Just playing basketball. Both of us are trying to win, so it's nothing to talk about. Just check the ball up."

Still, fans will be watching closely to see how Brown and Tatum interact with one another in their first meeting as opponents.