Cousins criticizes Tatum over silence during Brown trade saga

DeMarcus Cousins said Jayson Tatum should have reached out to Jaylen Brown before Brown was traded from the Celtics to the 76ers.

Jaylen Brown was traded from the Boston Celtics to the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2026 offseason after an attempted deal centered on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks fell through. Brown had reportedly wanted to remain in Boston alongside Jayson Tatum.

Tatum took a hands-off approach to the process, allowing Celtics president Brad Stevens to handle the front-office decisions. The team's finances ahead of the 2026-27 season were a factor in the decision to move Brown.

Former All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins addressed the split on Gil's Arena, pointing to Brown's remark that the two had not spoken. "For Jaylen Brown to come out and say he hasn't talked to him, that says a lot," Cousins said, noting the nine years, a championship and multiple Conference Finals the pair shared.

Tatum has pushed back on some of the narratives surrounding his relationship with Brown. The two will now meet as divisional rivals, with the Celtics and 76ers expected to contend in the East.