Jaylen Brown‘s recent declaration that the 2025-26 NBA season is the favorite of his NBA career stirred the pot and convinced many fans that he wants to be the 1A guy on the Boston Celtics or be traded to a team where he can be that player.
According to former Chicago Bulls point guard and current ESPN analyst Jay Williams, JB is a very intelligent person who doesn’t just say things out of emotion. He is a calculated individual who knows exactly what he wants to happen. And with his recent Twitch crash-out, J-Will thinks Jaylen is sending a message.
Advertisement
“It feels like the split-up is inevitable and they’re gonna force Brad Stevens’ hand,” began Williams. “I never want to see these two break up. I actually think they’re very compatible. I think they can win multiple championships together. But as I’ve always been told since I was a little kid, ego is one hell of a drug. And as you keep winning at a high level, somebody feels like they have to be the guy.”
Williams says Brown is a calculated individual
To be clear, Brown has not said he wants out of Boston or that he wants the lead role on the team. However, him saying this season is his favorite year, even over the Celtics’ 2024 championship year, says something without saying it loud.
Advertisement
With Jayson Tatum starting the season on the sidelines while recuperating from injury, Brown proved to be a worthy No.1 option and averaged career highs with 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. When Tatum returned, he just didn’t look like the same dominant player who was considered among the top 5 MVP favorites.
JB cleared the air recently, saying if it were up to him, he would love to stay in Boston and play the next 10 years there. However, Williams insists that if you examine closely what Brown has been saying, he wants out if he can’t be the man in Boston.
“He’s also very intentional with what he says,” Williams added. “And what he’s telling me, and I feel like he’s telling the world, is this is a success when I’m the guy. You guys keep treating me like I’m secondary. I want to be the guy. Maybe he needs to go away. Maybe this could get passed over. But inevitably, we know who they both are … It doesn’t feel like this is a long-term thing.”
Advertisement
Brad says Jaylen hasn’t spoken about any frustration
Aside from Brown saying this year was his favorite season, the other thing that triggered this breakup rumor was JB’s mentor and Hall of Famer, Tracy McGrady, who insinuated that the California product is frustrated in Boston. Celtics President Brad Stevens refuted this story during the end-of-season media availability press conference.
Advertisement
“He has not expressed those frustrations to me. We’ve been here 10 years together, and I do think that — obviously I love JB,” Stevens said. “Everybody around here loves JB, and I think — just like any of our other guys, as we get to the end of the season — I’ll be here, and my door is always open.”
Meanwhile, Tatum also posted on Instagram, and while it was cryptic, it seemed like he was throwing his support for Brown and criticizing the media.
Advertisement
Every year since they’ve been together, people have tried to break up Brown and Tatum, to no avail. Even after winning the championship in 2024, some people still tried to sow division after JB won ECF and Finals MVP over JT. But that did not work. Now, the same people are trying to use their historic playoff loss to do it again. Whether it works this time remains to be seen.
Related: “I’ll stop if you retire” – Jaylen Brown fires back at Stephen A. Smith after 50k NBA fine
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.