“It’s gonna be a nightmare for Boston for the rest of their life” – Brandon Jennings warns the Celtics not to trade Jaylen Brown originally appeared on Basketball Network.
It’s no surprise to anyone that the Boston Celtics’ roster is excessively expensive, and with the stiff measures placed on big spenders under the new CBA, the franchise will be forced to cut costs to remain competitive in the long run.
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Eventually, that reality has come for players like Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown – all entitled to hefty salaries – as they’re firmly in the trade rumor spotlight in this upcoming summer. However, if you ask Brandon Jennings, removing Brown from the team will not hurt him one bit as he has already solidified his legacy and secured his financial future.
“They don’t need to play with each other no more. You wanna get rid of JB, that’s fine. ‘I got everything I need from here anyway. Thank y’all. Y’all paid me. I got the Eastern Conference Finals MVP. I got the Finals MVP. I’m good,'” Jennings said. “Maybe your guy that y’all waiting on could really go get it all one day.”
Jennings warns Tatum about going up against Brown
Over the years, the Celtics have developed a reputation for finding themselves in tough spots in high-stake moments. In the center of those dampening scenarios, Jayson Tatum has been consistent. Take, for instance, Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, when the stakes were high against an in-form Dallas Mavericks team. Tatum managed to score 16 points on 37.5 percent shooting from the field. Meanwhile, Brown rose his game, dropping a team-high 22 points along with a game-high three blocks to secure the win for Boston.
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Jennings used such games to underscore a critical point that without JB in the mix, Tatum will find himself without the very player who has repeatedly saved him in the crucial moments.
What’s more, Jennings believes that if the Celtics trade the four-time All-Star to another team in the East, it could come back to massively haunt them, especially Tatum, who would be forced to prove his worth against one of the most underappreciated players in the league. Thus, it could expose Tatum’s long-standing vulnerabilities on the biggest stage.
“If I’m off the team and I get to the Eastern Conference finals, I know one thing: Jayson Tatum won’t be getting past JB. If they trade Jaylen Brown and he’s in the Eastern Conference, in the top five or six teams, you know what time it is,” Jennings added. “JB won’t be there to save your ass… It’s gonna be a nightmare for Boston for the rest of their life. You better make sure JB is on the West Coast or something.”
Boston is in a precarious position
There is no denying the Celtics are staring down a tough financial road. Tatum has to nurse Achilles injury and the uncertainty surrounding his availability next season only complicates things further.
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If Boston were to trade Brown – who’s set to earn $53 million next season – they’d risk entering the new season without a dependable leader on the floor, especially if Tatum is sidelined for an extended period, which is expected.
While Jennings may have gotten too emotional in trying to highlight Brown’s value, the Celtics themselves would be aware that they need him to lead the team next season. Moreover, with the success they had already experienced with Brown as the team’s second-best player, it makes no sense for Boston to part ways with him.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.