Jayson Tatum ready to lead new-look Celtics
Celtics Trade Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum Set to Lead New‑Look Roster
Boston, Sept. 26, 2026 – In a move that will reshape the NBA’s Eastern Conference landscape, the Boston Celtics traded team‑captain Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for a package that includes Paul George, Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley Jr. The trade, completed during the 2025‑26 offseason, is part of a broader effort by the Celtics to balance a $300 million cap hit and keep the franchise competitive while retaining the franchise star Jayson Tatum.
A cost‑cutting decision
The Celtics’ front office announced the trade after evaluating the financial burden of two 300‑million contracts. Brown, who earned the 2024 NBA Finals MVP title, and Tatum, who has spent nine seasons with the club, together represent a significant portion of the team’s payroll. Boston opted to keep the younger Tatum in the organization, believing the long‑term future hinges on a single cornerstone rather than a tandem that could strain the salary‑cap structure.
“The business of the NBA comes and plays a part at some point. And I’ve seen it in my almost 10 years in this league,” Tatum said at the Celtics’ media day on Monday. “For me it’s more so being grateful for what we accomplished and what he means for this city and to this organization… So really just being thankful for those nine years.”
New faces in Boston
The trade adds a trio of veterans to the Celtics’ roster. Paul George, who joined the Sixers after a breakout stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, brings defensive versatility and a reliable mid‑range shot. Robinson, a former New York Knicks center known for his rebounding, has worked to improve his free‑throw percentage and has shown an increased willingness to guard perimeter players. Conley, a seasoned point guard with a career in the NBA that spans five teams, provides veteran leadership and playmaking.
“Yeah, very comfortable. This is Year 10,” Tatum said. “Leadership is about a lot of different things. Awareness is the biggest one. Self‑awareness, awareness of the group, and just understanding we all have roles and we’re just kind of simply in this together.” He added that the team’s dynamic will shift but that he is ready to guide the new lineup.
Coaching perspective
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized that the team’s style of play will evolve as it does each season, regardless of personnel changes. “I don’t think that it’s necessarily the phrase ‘without Jaylen,’” Mazzulla told reporters. “Every year you’re getting new players, old players, the same players that you have coming back expand their games and they look differently. So it’s not as much what it looks like without one person or the other as much as it’s what our roster is and how we can take advantage of the strengths and talent that we have.”
Mazzulla also joked that he would no longer use the intentional foul strategy against Robinson that was employed during the 2025 conference semifinals against the New York Knicks. Robinson laughed that he had had a “little issue” with Mazzulla, saying he was “like, ‘You’ve got to say sorry for fouling me’,” but that the coach apologized and that they were now ready to “build together.”
Tatum’s health and leadership
The Celtics’ star has been working hard to recover from a torn Achilles tendon that required surgery in March 2025. He has passed the 16‑month mark since the procedure, a milestone that has allowed him to return to training camp with renewed confidence. “I feel great having this offseason to get stronger, get more explosive and just work on my body in totality,” Tatum said. “So obviously feel much better than I did this time last year, and I’m excited and thankful for that.”
Tatum’s injury forced him to miss Game 7 of Boston’s first‑round playoff series against the Sixers last season, a game that saw the Celtics win 118‑111. The loss was a bittersweet moment for the franchise, which celebrated a championship in 2024 but saw its star miss a pivotal game.
George’s role in the new lineup
Paul George, who has come into the trade with a reputation for defensive prowess and an expanding offensive game, reiterated his focus on supporting the Celtics’ core. “Obviously, JT is the guy,” George said. “I’m there to support him in all facets. I’ve always prided myself on being able to not just do one thing, kind of wearing whatever hat that I needed to while still producing at a high level.” He stressed that his role will be flexible, filling gaps wherever the team needs.
76ers’ new power forward
The Philadelphia 76ers acquired Brown as part of a strategy to bolster a team that has already made significant moves this offseason, including the signing of LeBron James. With Brown’s defensive intensity and scoring ability, the Sixers aim to become a top contender in the Eastern Conference.
Looking ahead
Boston’s new-look roster, anchored by Tatum’s leadership and bolstered by veteran additions, faces the challenge of integrating the different skill sets into a cohesive unit. The team’s management believes that a single‑cornerstone approach will provide a clearer identity moving forward.
For Philadelphia, the acquisition of Jaylen Brown and the presence of a veteran superstar in LeBron James signal a commitment to pushing for another deep playoff run. The trade, finalized on the last day of the trade deadline, underscores the high‑stakes calculations that NBA teams must make to balance star power with salary‑cap feasibility.
As the 2025‑26 season approaches, both franchises will watch how the new configurations translate on the court. While the Celtics’ gamble on a single leader remains bold, the Sixers’ expansion of their frontcourt may prove to be equally transformative. The coming months will reveal whether the trade moves, the leadership changes, and the health of key players deliver the success that both organizations desperately seek.
