Jaylen Brown credits NBA great for telling him to stay with Celtics

Jaylen Brown has already completed loads with the Celtics — headlined by his NBA Finals MVP efficiency as a part of Boston’s 18th championship in June 2024.

However the 29-year-old star wing was candid this week when requested in regards to the instances when he doubted he’d stay in Boston long-term.

Earlier than putting pen to paper on a five-year, $304 million contract extension in July 2023, Brown admitted on a latest stream that he thought-about leaving the Celtics seeking a larger position elsewhere.

“There have been instances when issues was wanting tough right here in Boston. I don’t know what number of instances they put me in commerce talks, for no matter purpose. It was at all times one thing,” Brown mentioned. “There have been different gamers that Brad [Stevens] or whoever thought the group was a greater match or they have been paying extra money, no matter. 

“So I used to be like, you understand, I believe it could be time to go, you understand what I imply? I may go elsewhere. I’m proficient. I believe I can rating the ball at a really, very excessive stage. I’m not allowed to develop the identical like different gamers as a result of I’m on a special sort of, no matter.”

Though Brown had legit causes to be annoyed after listening to his title talked about in commerce rumors over time, he mentioned that NBA Corridor of Famer Tracy McGrady satisfied him that staying with Boston was the appropriate transfer.

“T-Mac was like, ‘Keep, bro.’ I used to be like, ‘Huh?’ I’m considering, like, T-Mac and Vince [Carter], T-Mac selected to depart [the Raptors] to be able to go be the T-Mac who he initially was,” Brown mentioned. “I’m considering that’s what he was going to say. 

“He was like, ‘Na, bro, belief me, no matter you are able to do, in case you can keep and also you’ve received a chance to win, win.’ I used to be like, rattling, and I eternally took that with me. Even behind closed doorways when issues have at all times been up and down, I’ve at all times held onto that message. I wish to win first.”

McGrady may need been talking from expertise.

Whereas McGrady achieved loads of success as the highest star on each the Magic and Houston Rockets, he may need achieved much more success had he stayed with Carter as a dynamic 1-2 punch with the Raptors.

McGrady did punch his ticket to the Corridor of Fame as one of many prime scorers of his technology, however he was additionally by no means capable of recover from the hump and win a championship throughout his 15 seasons within the NBA.

 

Conor Ryan is a employees author protecting the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Purple Sox for Boston.com, a job he has held since 2023.