Following Marcus Smart’s trade from Boston to Memphis, well wishes flowed from his C’s teammates but someone who was noticeably quiet was Jaylen Brown.
Players like Grant Williams and Derrick White praised Smart publicly and Jayson Tatum posted multiple story updates, while calling Smart a “brother for life”.
But Brown said nothing on social media and didn’t comment publicly, despite spending his entire NBA career on the same team as Smart.
This led to Celtics fans speculating that Brown and Smart had beef before Smart was traded but the new Grizzlies point guard has since shut these rumors down.
“I actually want to clear up something I’ve seen online around because JB didn’t post something about me like JT did, that we had beef,” Smart said, via Gary Washburn of Boston Globe. “Jayson and Jaylen are my brothers for life. I don’t think what people see [is accurate] on what and how our relationship really is. We’ve been through a lot together. We’ve been through fires.
“My mom passed away, JB was actually one of the people on that plane that came to Dallas to the funeral. I just want to shut all rumors now that me and JB had beef. I have no beef with anybody from the Celtics, none of my teammates. I love those guys. They love me. We’re brothers and I know if I’m ever in need or want anything I can call those guys and it’s vice versa.
“Me and JB, we’re great. That’s my brother. He actually texted me and he was just as disappointed as I was. We’re good. I just wanted to clear that up.”
Smart will now look to forge a bond with players like Jaren Jackson Junior, Steven Adams and the newly-signed Derrick Rose in Memphis.
Smart and Rose will likely be the perfect senior mentors for a struggling Ja Morant.
READ MORE: Trae Young’s Response to Being Called a ‘Coach Killer’