Celtics Analyst Retreats: Jaylen Brown Never Requested Trade
A source contradicts Brian Scalabrine's claim that the Sixers forward demanded a move to Milwaukee, calling it a technicality.
By Layla Petrov ·
Boston Celtics analyst Brian Scalabrine reversed his stance on Monday regarding the summer trade of Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers. A source close to the player confirmed that Brown did not ask to be traded, directly contradicting Scalabrine's earlier radio claims.
Scalabrine appeared on a Sirius XM broadcast Monday where he stated that Brown presented a list of demands to Boston and requested a trade, specifically naming the Milwaukee Bucks as his preferred destination. The analyst said Brown was contacting teammates about joining them in Milwaukee. This assertion fueled speculation about the nature of the breakup between Brown and the Celtics.
Later that day, before the Celtics played the Chicago Bulls, Scalabrine walked back his initial report. He stated that Brown "technically" did not demand a trade and admitted he had "no idea" what specific demands the forward may have made. The source cited by The Inquirer aligned with an earlier ESPN report, noting that after a potential move to Milwaukee fell through, Brown only asked for input on his destination if a trade occurred.
The exchange occurs amid a week of friction between the former teammates. Brown spent the first ten years of his career in Boston, winning a championship with the Celtics in 2024. Last week, he responded to a video of Jayson Tatum claiming the trade surprised him by posting a cap emoji on Instagram, a symbol commonly used to suggest someone is lying.
Following a Sixers win against Milwaukee on Saturday, Brown addressed the relationship between himself and Tatum. He said there was "no beef" between the two but added a colorful metaphor about their dynamic.
"There's no beef. Jayson comes from a wonderful family," Brown said. "We've accomplished some great things. He's a hell of a basketball player. He got a great public relations team. There's no beef, but it might be a little lamb chops and some gravy. You know what I mean? He should stay ready at all times."
The two teams are scheduled to meet on Nov. 10 in Philadelphia, which will mark Brown's first regular season appearance against his former franchise.
