A representative for Philadelphia 76ers forward Jaylen Brown told ESPN that a report claiming Brown demanded a trade or presented the Boston Celtics with a list of demands is "10000% a lie." The Celtics traded Brown to Philadelphia this past offseason in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks (2028, 2031) and two second-round selections (2028, 2030).
On Monday, former NBA player and NBC Sports Boston analyst Brian Scalabrine said Brown requested a trade, had a list of demands and was "rooting to be traded to Milwaukee." The representative pushed back, saying Brown never requested a trade to the Bucks. After a deal centered on Giannis Antetokounmpo fell through and Boston informed Brown he would be traded anyway, his only request was to have input on his destination. Scalabrine later walked back his comments, saying Brown didn't "technically demand to be traded," but he maintained that Brown came to Boston with a list of demands, including a $140 million extension. According to the representative, Brown's only other request was that he and Jayson Tatum be treated equally.
The report comes amid a public back-and-forth between Brown and Jayson Tatum. Brown posted a blue hat emoji, slang for lying, on Instagram after Tatum said he was "just as much caught off guard" by the trade. Tatum said he didn't want drama and welcomed a conversation. Two days later, Brown insisted there was "no beef" but said there "might be a little lamb chops and some gravy," adding that Tatum had a "hell of a PR team." Brown declined to explain the emoji and appeared uninterested in talking with Tatum.
Brown and Tatum played together in Boston for nine seasons, both drafted third overall, Brown in 2016 and Tatum in 2017. Together they guided the Celtics to five Eastern Conference finals appearances, two NBA Finals trips and a championship.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing