Brad Stevens Press Conference: Celtics President Addresses Jaylen Brown Trade

Jul 06, 2026 - 20:35

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Brad Stevens Press Conference: Celtics President Addresses Jaylen Brown Trade originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

On Monday, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens will address the blockbuster trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the 76ers.

Boston announced on Monday afternoon that the deal had officially been completed, ending Brown's 10-season run with the Celtics. They acquired Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks from the Sixers in exchange for the 2024 Finals MVP.

While Boston has made some notable offseason moves, including the reported signings of Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley, there is plenty to address after Brown's time in Boston shockingly came to an end.

Follow along right here for Stevens' most notable comments from Monday's press conference.

Live updates from Brad Stevens press conference

4:25 p.m.: When asked about how negotiations unfolded, Stevens said Brown and his agent knew about the teams with the most interest.

After Brown said on his live stream things went south, Stevens said "I'm sorry he felt that way."

4:22 p.m.: Stevens was blunt when asked by a reporter whether the Celtics will be better next year.

"We'll find out."

4:19 p.m.: The Celtics' president of basketball operations was able to empathize with the fans, saying that he misses coaching this week since trades are "not for the faint of heart."

4:17 p.m.: Stevens was asked about Tatum's role in the trade negotiations, and he quickly shut it down and said none.

4:16 p.m.: When talking about trading Brown to Philly, Stevens said that "when doing a deal, you have to think about you first and the optionality it presents to you."

4:15 p.m.: On George, Stevens said he is a "really good player."

"We're not very far removed from all sitting in our series against Philadelphia and watching Paul be a guy that could carry you for portions of a quarter or a half, but also play a complementary role on both ends of the floor at the highest of levels," Stevens said. "He's excited to come to Boston. He actually already came in this weekend, and we're excited to get a chance to work with him."

4:12 p.m.: Stevens was asked again about the salary cap, with 70% of it still tied up with Brown and Tatum. He said "I don't want to hear about picks and optionality, but unfortunately in my position, that matters."

Brad Stevens acknowledges that he still has 70% of his cap tied up in two players. pic.twitter.com/8G9ITpGYoc
— Savage (@Savageboston) July 6, 2026

He said that the team is excited about the depth of the group, the young players, and will "have a lot of options moving forward."

4:10 p.m.: Stevens spoke about Brown's partnership with Tatum, and while there was nothing bad to say, he felt like the partnership presented financial bumps down the road.

"The path looked a little bit more challenging with 70 percent of our cap and such a high percent of our usage tied into two players."

Brad Stevens on trading Jaylen Brown: "When I looked at our team and where the league was heading ... the path looked a little more challenging to me. I might be wrong - I'm not going to stand up here and be defensive about that. But the path looked a little bit more challenging… pic.twitter.com/GssGG36E83
— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) July 6, 2026

4:06 p.m.: Though the trade was not easy, Stevens said the Celtics would not have made a move unless "the right opportunity presented itself."

He went on to say this was not a secret, in fact "very loud."

4:03 p.m.: Stevens said that in a conversation with Brown in early June, he said a day that he trades him will be really emotional.

"I felt that," Stevens said, "I'm with our fans in feeling that. I think [Chisholm\ would say the same... this is a really hard thing."

4:00 p.m.: Stevens and Bill Chisholm are on the podium with an opening statement.

3:50 p.m.: The presser will begin shortly. Follow along for live updates on what Stevens says about the Celtics offseason so far.

3:40 p.m.: While Stevens will speak to the media shortly, here's what he had to say about the Brown trade in a press release:

The Celtics outline their trade of Jaylen Brown in a press release.

Here’s Brad Stevens’ first official statement on the deal:

“Jaylen Brown will rightfully go down as one of the defining players of this era. Like the best Celtics before him, he is a terrific player and has… pic.twitter.com/GspYhaypor
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) July 6, 2026

“Jaylen Brown will rightfully go down as one of the defining players of this era," Stevens said. "Like the best Celtics before him, he is a terrific player and has also had a huge impact off the court. On a personal level, I am thankful to have had a front row seat to the first 10 years of his illustrious career. I could go on and on, but a few sentences, paragraphs, or even chapters wouldn't do it justice. His legacy as a Celtic is forever etched in stone.”

3:30 p.m.: Earlier today, the trade became official, with Jaylen Brown being traded to the 76ers in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks.

Brown leaves behind quite the resume in Boston.

✅ 5x All-Star
✅ 2x All-NBA Second Team
✅ ECF & Finals MVP
✅ NBA Champion

The impact you made both on and off the court will forever be felt by the city of Boston and Celtics fans everywhere.

Thank you to one of the all-time great Celtics, Jaylen Brown ☘️ pic.twitter.com/RNcYYopnzQ
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 6, 2026

Brad Stevens press conference live stream

Brad Stevens statement on Jaylen Brown trade

Before Monday's press conference, Stevens shared a statement as part of the Celtics' official press release on the Brown trade.

"Jaylen Brown will rightfully go down as one of the defining players of this era," Stevens said. "Like the best Celtics before him, he is a terrific player and has also had a huge impact off the court. On a personal level, I am thankful to have had a front row seat to the first 10 years of his illustrious career.

"I could go on and on, but a few sentences, paragraphs, or even chapters wouldn't do it justice. His legacy as a Celtic is forever etched in stone."

Jaylen Brown trade details

Celtics receive: Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks
76ers receive: Jaylen Brown

The Celtics acquired George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks from Philadelphia in the blockbuster deal.

Here are the full details on the draft picks, per ESPN's Shams Charania:

Details on 76ers picks to the Celtics, per sources:

-- 2028 first-round pick that could convert from a first to a swap that is more favorable to Boston

-- 2031 unprotected Philadelphia first

-- 2028 second round, most favorable of GSW/OKC/MIL

-- 2030 second, most favorable… https://t.co/nbxdEsvB4f
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026

Celtics offseason trades, signings 2026

July 6: The Celtics have officially traded Jaylen Brown to the 76ers in exchange for Paul George and multiple draft picks.
July 3: Neemias Queta has agreed to sign a four-year, $56 million contract extension with the Celtics, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
July 1: The Celtics have signed Mitchell Robinson to three-year deal, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
July 1: Mike Conley has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Celtics, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
June 29: The Celtics have officially exercised the team options of Dalano Banton, Neemias Queta and Jordan Walsh.