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Jaylen Brown recently received a high honor from the NBA after leading the Boston Celtics to their fifth straight win, now third in the East.
The Boston Celtics made significant roster changes at the trade deadline. They acquired center Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons. They also moved Chris Boucher, Josh Minott, and Xavier Tillman in separate deals.
The moves were designed to improve Boston’s frontcourt while saving money below the luxury tax line. But integrating a new center into an established system takes time, and Sunday’s 111-89 loss to the New York Knicks exposed some of the growing pains.
Jaylen Brown addressed those concerns after the defeat.
Brown Says Celtics Still Finding Chemistry With Vucevic
GettyNikola Vucevic was traded to the Boston Celtics at the deadline in exchange for Anfernee Simons.
Brown spoke candidly about the adjustment period following the trade. He acknowledged that Vucevic is still learning Boston’s system and needs time to find his rhythm with his new teammates.
“We got to figure out the chemistry a little bit, the flow a little bit,” Brown told The Athletic’s Jay King. “We want Vuc to be a little bit more aggressive, looking for him to get going and make him feel confident in taking those shots and where he can catch the ball.”
Brown explained that Vucevic is still adjusting to his new surroundings, but the Celtics need him to be aggressive as he learns the system. He emphasized that communication, film study, and adjustments will help the team improve.
Vucevic played 23 minutes off the bench against New York, finishing with 11 points and six rebounds. He struggled from three-point range, making just one of his six attempts. The performance reflected a player still adjusting to new teammates, new sets, and a new role.
The tactical changes extend beyond inserting Vucevic into the rotation. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla moved guard Payton Pritchard to the second unit for the fourth consecutive game. Pritchard was minus-27 in Sunday’s loss, highlighting how lineup adjustments can create ripple effects throughout the roster.
Mazzulla downplayed concerns about tinkering with lineups. He noted the Celtics have used 15 to 17 different starting lineups this season, so nothing has changed in their approach. According to Mazzulla, everyone on the roster has a chance to impact winning, and experimenting with different combinations is part of the process.
Guard Derrick White acknowledged the team is playing differently than they were a few weeks ago. He said the Celtics aren’t as crisp as they were earlier in the season when they had more time to figure out rotations and chemistry.
What This Means for Boston
GettyJaylen Brown, Boston Celtics.
Boston sits at 34-19 in third place in the Eastern Conference. That record represents significant overachievement considering Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles in last year’s playoffs. The Celtics rebuilt on the fly and remained competitive despite losing their best player.
The Vucevic trade was a win-now move designed to improve Boston’s frontcourt depth and provide scoring punch in the paint. The deal also saved the organization money by dropping below the luxury tax line. But midseason trades always risk disrupting established chemistry, and the Celtics are experiencing exactly that.
Mazzulla has a few months to integrate Vucevic fully and get the roster clicking before the postseason. The adjustment period is normal. Vucevic needs to learn Boston’s offensive sets, defensive schemes, and tendencies. His teammates need to learn where he likes the ball and how he operates in different situations.
Brown’s comments reflect a veteran leader managing expectations while pushing for better execution. The Celtics will improve as Vucevic gets more comfortable. The question is how long the adjustment period lasts and whether Boston can maintain its playoff positioning while figuring out the new rotations.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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