Jaylen Brown’s tenure with the Boston Celtics came to a shocking end.
After spending a decade with the Celtics and helping deliver the franchise’s 18th NBA championship, Brown was traded this offseason to the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster deal for Paul George, a 2028 first-round draft pick, a 2028 second-round draft pick, a 2030 second-round draft pick, and a 2031 unprotected first-round draft pick.
While Brown’s departure was controversial, his contributions to the franchise can’t be overlooked. When his playing career ends, the Celtics should retire his No. 7 jersey.
Brown Helped Deliver Banner No. 18
Championships define legacies in Boston, and Brown played a pivotal role in banner No. 18.
Throughout the Celtics’ 2024 championship run, Brown elevated his production when it mattered most. He averaged 23.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. And in their Finals matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, he managed 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
Although some of his numbers dipped in the Finals, Brown still made a tremendous impact, earning Finals MVP honors. Along with scoring at least 20 points in four of their five games, he played elite defense on Luka Doncic, forcing him to commit 4.6 turnovers a game while shooting just 24.4% from three-point range.
Brown didn’t just produce offensively — he also accepted the challenge of defending the opponent’s best player throughout the series.
Brown Carried the Celtics When They Needed Him Most
Brown’s influence on the Celtics became even more evident last season.
During the 2025 playoffs, Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles, forcing him to miss the majority of the 2025-26 season. With Tatum sidelined, Brown elevated his game and kept Boston competitive.
Throughout the 2025-26 season, Brown averaged a career-high 28.7 points per game, along with 6.9 rebounds, a career-high 5.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. He had many memorable performances, including a 50-point game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 3.
His efforts earned him a fourth consecutive All-Star selection and another All-NBA Second Team honor. He also finished sixth in Most Valuable Player award voting.
One of the Greatest Resumes in Celtics History
Brown leaves Boston as one of the most accomplished players in franchise history.
Along with a championship and Finals MVP, Brown earned five All-Star and two All-NBA selections. He also earned the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals MVP award after averaging 29.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers.
Brown also established himself as one of the franchise’s most consistent stars.
Across 10 seasons with Boston, Brown averaged 20.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, while also averaging at least 20 points per game in seven consecutive seasons. He is currently the Celtics’ 10th all-time leader in points and third in 3-pointers made.
Although Brown’s Celtics career ended sooner than many expected, Brown accomplished more than enough to cement his place among the franchise’s greats. His championship, Finals MVP, sustained excellence, and loyalty over a decade make a compelling case for the Celtics to retire his No. 7 jersey.
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