Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum attempted to dispel any misconceptions about his relationship with Jaylen Brown by offering a glowing endorsement of his former teammate.
"I love that guy," Tatum told the "Dan Patrick Show" on Thursday. "We won a championship, we shared All-Star games together. You can't talk about him without talking about me, and vice versa. The success that we had as two young kids growing up in this league, just pushing each other."
While Tatum acknowledged the "many different opinions and speculation" about their relationship, he emphasized that he has nothing but well wishes for Brown.
"It's not like a thing to be sad or upset about; it's a thing to celebrate, what we were able to do," Tatum said. "He's a tremendous person and player, and I have nothing but respect and wish him the best."
However, Brown hinted at a frosty relationship with Tatum after the Celtics traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers in July, saying he had "not really" talked with him.
"Obviously, there's ups and downs in any type of relationship, for sure. But on my end, it's nothing but respect," Brown said in August. "Besides when he plays the Sixers, I hope he does well. But other than that, everything for me is just based in respect."
Brown and Tatum shared the court for nine seasons in Boston, reaching the NBA Finals twice and capturing the franchise's record-breaking 18th championship in 2024.
Brown, 29, recorded career highs in points (28.7), rebounds (6.9), and assists (5.1) across 71 games last season, largely in Tatum's absence. Tatum missed the first 62 regular-season contests after he ruptured his Achilles in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.
