Less than a season ago, there were some people who said the Boston Celtics should break up the backcourt combination of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
You have to remember the circumstances surrounding the team at the time: they were off to a very rough start for the season and it looked like they were going to miss the playoffs.
But that didn’t happen: the Celtics really turned things around, came together more than ever before, and, as you know, made the NBA Finals.
Brown was a huge part of that and by the end of the season, no one was demanding he be traded.
Jaylen Brown over the last 3 seasons:
— 23/6
— 48/38/75%
— Top 5 in playoff points
— All-StarThe C’s have made the playoffs every season since drafting Jaylen. pic.twitter.com/KZuXBrbyod
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 26, 2022
When you look at his stats, you see that Brown is a truly exceptional player.
Over the last three seasons, he has averaged 23 points and 6 rebounds.
Meanwhile, he has been shooting 48%, 38%, and 75% from the field and is a top five player in playoff points.
Plus, Brown was named All-Star during the 2020-21 season, further cementing his importance in the league.
Since drafting Brown, the Celtics have made the playoffs every season.
So, why were they willing to trade him away?
Bailing On Brown
The latest rumor says that the Celtics were pushing to trade Brown in part of a deal to get Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets.
Celtics fans were not too pleased about this supposed trade and instantly started hammering the front office for proposing it.
Brown’s prominence on the squad goes beyond the impressive numbers listed above.
He’s a vital part of the great team chemistry and culture that helped raise the Celtics above the rest and push through the East.
Is Boston’s front office really inclined to lose that in favor of Durant?
NEXT: Jayson Tatum Comments On A Potential Kevin Durant Trade