Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has pushed back on growing speculation surrounding Jaylen Brown and his future with the franchise following the team’s shocking first-round playoff exit.
Questions around Brown intensified earlier this week after Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady claimed on his “Cousins” podcast that the Celtics star had deeper frustrations within the organization. But Stevens made it clear Wednesday that Brown has not voiced any issues directly to him.
“He has not expressed those frustrations to me,” Stevens said.
Stevens revealed he spoke with Brown on Monday, just two days after Boston’s Game Seven loss to the Philadelphia 76ers ended the Celtics’ season in dramatic fashion. The conversation was entirely positive despite the disappointing finish to the year.
“We’ve been here 10 years together, and I do think that — obviously I love JB,” Stevens said. “Everybody around here loves JB, and I think — just like any of our other guys, as we get to the end of the season — I’ll be here, and my door is always open.”
The Celtics became just the 14th team in NBA history to blow a 3-1 playoff series lead after falling to Philadelphia at home. The loss also marked the first time since 1982 that the Sixers eliminated Boston in a postseason series.
Brown remained one of the few bright spots for the Celtics throughout the season. With Jayson Tatum sidelined while recovering from Achilles surgery, Brown stepped into a larger leadership role and delivered the best statistical season of his career, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists while helping Boston secure the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Stevens, however, continued to stress that communication has never been an issue.
“If anybody ever wants to come in and talk about it, and talk about their team, their place, whatever the case may be, I’m all ears,” Stevens said. “I think it’s really important to be available. So I certainly am, and none of that has been expressed to me.”
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