NBA legend Isiah Thomas has criticized the Boston Celtics’ handling of Jaylen Brown’s departure, saying the situation could have been managed better before the longtime franchise star was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Isiah Thomas said the situation was unusual for an organization that has traditionally been viewed as one of the NBA’s model franchises.
“It definitely could’ve been handled better, and I think for all of us, we’ve never seen the Celtics organization act this way,” Thomas said. “The Celtics have always been the model.”
Isiah Thomas defends Jaylen Brown
Thomas also defended Brown, describing him as an “innocent bystander” in the situation.
“I think Jaylen Brown, he was an innocent bystander in all of this. He caught some strays and people going by just taking shots,” Thomas added.
Brown was traded from Boston to Philadelphia after spending nearly a decade with the Celtics and helping the franchise win the 2024 NBA championship.
The 29-year-old guard later opened up about his reaction to the trade, admitting that he initially struggled to process the news.
“I’m not even sure when I found out when I first got traded. I just threw my phone across the room,” Brown said during his introductory press conference with the 76ers.
“[The Jaylen Brown trade] definitely could’ve been handled better.”
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) August 7, 2026
@Hoophall Isiah Thomas tells @TermineRadio and @Jumpshot8 he thinks the Celtics could’ve approached the Brown situation differently.
Listen to the full show: https://t.co/U91Jb629HQ pic.twitter.com/VLoMrPo6Ig
Jaylen Brown begins new chapter in Philadelphia
Brown has since turned his attention toward his new chapter with the 76ers, where he will join a roster that also includes LeBron James.
He revealed that Philadelphia’s players have already started communicating regularly through multiple group chats as they work to build chemistry ahead of the new season.
Brown also addressed his relationship with former Celtics teammate Jayson Tatum, with whom he spent almost a decade in Boston and won an NBA championship.
“We won a championship together. There are ups and downs in any relationship. On my end, nothing but respect, besides when he plays the Sixers,” Brown said.
