![\"In](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/V44RQQQWIA6EQPEXGROULS6QTY.JPG\")
In a change from previous years, Celtics star Jaylen Brown (left) stuck around Massachusetts this offseason, even joining Georges Niang (right) for the Connecticut Sun-Indiana Fever WNBA matchup at TD Garden. Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe Staff<\/p>\nBrown, who turns 29 later this month, could become kinder and gentler in his old age, which is a stretch until you realize he\u2019s entering his 10th NBA season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a little bit sad, a lot of the guys I spent a lot of time with, we had such a great group over the last couple of years,\u201d he said. \u201cTo see them not be around anymore obviously is going to have an effect on our team, but we have five new players we\u2019ve got to get on board and acclimated into the system. And I\u2019m trying to expedite that chemistry building, that trust building so you guys can see a good product when we get to the floor. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut some of that stuff takes time \u2014 it doesn\u2019t happen overnight \u2014 but I\u2019m looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brown usually takes sabbaticals in the summer, bolting Boston for faraway lands. This year, he spent more time in Massachusetts and made sure to bond with his new teammates and open up to fans by live streaming \u2014 including a hilarious bit last week when he tried calling five of his veteran teammates. None answered. Brown didn\u2019t include the tidbit that he changed his phone number, so his unrecognized number was ignored.<\/p>\n
Brown is smiling more, at least with himself, about those lofty expectations and his NBA journey. He admitted that wasn\u2019t always the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would say a lot of times I felt like I had to operate a certain way to protect myself, and it was kind of the way I felt like I had to be in order not to lose my mind a little bit,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I feel like I\u2019ve gotten to a point in my life where I\u2019m at peace, and I feel like I can express more of myself to the world in a sense where I just haven\u2019t opened up in the last (several) years. More so showing the world who Jaylen Brown is.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a change from previous years, Celtics star Jaylen Brown (left) stuck around Massachusetts this offseason, even joining Georges Niang (right) for the Connecticut Sun-Indiana Fever WNBA matchup at TD Garden. Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe Staff<\/p>\n
The NBA life isn\u2019t easy to handle, despite the money and popularity. Social media allows fans a direct vehicle to communicate with players and their comments aren\u2019t always flattering. And in the height of Brown\u2019s career, when he won the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals MVP, he was snubbed for US Olympic team consideration just a few weeks later.<\/p>\n
The doubters remain, but Brown has decided to acknowledge the negativity while also appreciating his accomplishments and status.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a different level of peace I\u2019ve been able to reach internally where at times I would struggle with the dynamic between certain things \u2014 maneuvering through certain spaces, dealing with the media, dealing with the expectations, and dealing with the pressure that comes with it being in the position that you\u2019re in,\u201d he said. \u201cSo I had to close myself off so I could not lose my mind, but I\u2019m at the point now where I don\u2019t care. All the pressure, all the expectations are real but I don\u2019t need to put anything extra on myself. I know who I [am] and I know what I\u2019m capable of, so I\u2019m just going to shine my light and let the chips fall where they may.\u201d<\/p>\n
The perception entering this season is Brown will need to be a top-10 NBA player for the Celtics to avoid major slippage. Without Tatum, the question is whether he can handle being the primary option. He is fully confident he can, but he also wants to stay in character and allow the process of being that dude come naturally.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I\u2019ve shown that at different points of my career, and if that\u2019s the narrative, the storyline everybody wants to go with, I\u2019m going to approach it the same way I\u2019m going to approach it,\u201d Brown said. \u201cI\u2019m going to have more responsibility with Jayson not being here, but it also gives other guys a chance to step up. Empowering other guys, trusting your teammates more, trying to accelerate other guys\u2019 learning curve and play some good basketball. I think that\u2019s what people want to see.<\/p>\n
\u201cFeels like a new era. I feel very optimistic about this year. I feel like in the past, I would be lying if I said the outside voices didn\u2019t motivate me because they did. At this point of my life, I\u2019m not quite sure if I gain motivation from that.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"With](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ZOB23XGFQLYY2S4SN52MJOL2AE.jpg\")
With Warriors Buddy Hield (7), assistant coach Jerry Stackhouse, and star forward Jimmy Butler (right) looking on, Golden State’s newest addition, Al Horford, works out on Wednesday in San Francisco.Jeff Chiu\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
ALL TOGETHER NOW<\/p>\n
Warriors regroup with signings, minicamp<\/p>\n
The Warriors are prepping for perhaps one final playoff run, and finally solved their Jonathan Kuminga problem by signing the swingman to a two-year, $48 million deal. The club then brought back Gary Payton II, and added former Celtic Al Horford and De\u2019Anthony Melton to complete their roster.<\/p>\n
Also back for a full season is Jimmy Butler, who organized an offseason minicamp near his San Diego home. The aging core realizes time is running out and they are all healthy and engaged.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we are all looking forward to it,\u201d Draymond Green said. \u201cJust the opportunity to start [at] the beginning, to have a training camp together. You know, you can implement more things. You can build an identity from the beginning. Defensive terminology and all the things that you build starting in training camp, we\u2019re able to do that this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd so we\u2019re really looking forward to that opportunity. I mean, the minicamp in San Diego was great, No. 1, just to be with the guys, spend some time together. Jimmy was an incredible host. He has the wine cellar of an emperor. It\u2019s amazing. And just setting the tone and getting everybody together and what it is that we are setting out to do, and that kind of marks the beginning of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several Warriors gathered at Butler\u2019s home and spent time building friendships on and off the floor. There is a sense of urgency in Golden State with Stephen Curry, Butler, and Green all 35 or above. Horford is 39.<\/p>\n
The Warriors definitely have enough talent to compete but health and endurance are going to remain central issues. Last season, with Curry injuring his hamstring, Golden State stumbled in their second-round playoff series against the Timberwolves and were thumped in five games. Most of the players blamed a lack of chemistry and having to spend energy on making a late playoff push as reasons for their downfall. They hope to have enough depth to ensure a deep playoff run this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think last year we were just kind of making it work, doing whatever we could do to make it work,\u201d Green said. \u201cThis year you get a chance to see what\u2019s best. I think \u2014 I just think that will take us much, much further than just finding one thing that works, and all right, we just going to do this, as opposed you build toward that, you try things that don\u2019t would \u2014 you move on.”<\/p>\n
Butler finally feels comfortable after being acquired midseason. His exit from Miami was abrupt and messy and he was looking for a new home, finally agreeing to a trade to Golden State. He has blended in nicely to the team culture.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love it here,\u201d he said. \u201cThis organization is top of the charts. They do everything the right way. They take care of you. They take care of your people. The way that they communicate. The way that they allow you to be yourself, go out there and hoop, make sure you\u2019re doing everything you can to make it on the floor. It\u2019s incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Butler separated from his teammates in his previous stops, especially Minnesota and Miami, accusing them of failing to reach expectations or not playing as hard as he did. It was a calculated risk for the Warriors to acquire Butler because of his unceremonious exits with other teams. But gathering his teammates in San Diego was a sign of harmony, especially entering this monumental season.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs far as the minicamp went, it was just fun,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was just to let everybody know, I appreciate everybody. I want this to be a good time that we have. Yeah, we got some work in but it\u2019s all about being around one another. It\u2019s all about having some fun and knowing this is a long year ahead. It\u2019s not going to be all good, but it\u2019s damn sure not going to be all bad. So when you look back, you go look, we\u2019re still in this thing together \u2014 even whenever we\u2019re drinking wine in San Diego and lounging by the pool \u2014 just know that everybody is in this thing together. That\u2019s what that was.\u201d<\/p>\n
There is pressure on Golden State management to capitalize on the final prime years of Curry\u2019s career. Butler just turned 35 and age is becoming a factor also. The Warriors are the league\u2019s oldest team but also one of the most talented. Can all that aging talent thrive against young clubs such as Oklahoma City and Houston?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also realize, there\u2019s not enough talking in the world,\u201d Butler said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to have to go out there and produce and get it done. We know that. But we are just so joyful. We\u2019re so happy to be able to compete, compete with one another, and do what they set out to do. Do what I want to do for the first time, win a championship. I smile knowing that it\u2019s a really great chance for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Phoenix](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/TN7SS7EUMDHSIDQEESQ4S4XVHA.jpg\")
Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (14) gets physical with Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) during Friday’s Game 1 of the WNBA Finals in Las Vegas. John Locher\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
HAPPY REUNION<\/p>\n
Phoenix\u2019s Bonner at home in WNBA Finals<\/p>\n
DeWanna Bonner is playing in her fourth WNBA Finals, as the Mercury look to win their first title in 11 years. But Phoenix was not in her plans after leaving Connecticut as a free agent. She initially signed with the Fever, tabbed as a veteran presence who could help take the Caitlin Clark-led club to the next level. But she never found a role in Indiana and eventually asked for a trade to Phoenix, where she spent her first 11 seasons and won two championships.<\/p>\n
She drained three critical 3-pointers in the Mercury\u2019s Game 4, clinching semifinal win against the shorthanded Lynx, capping her return, this time as a steady reserve. The 38-year-old forward expressed gratitude about perhaps her final WNBA stop.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m home. That\u2019s all. I\u2019m home. I\u2019m back to where I\u2019ll begin,\u201d she said. \u201cThe love has been real since I\u2019ve been back here, and there\u2019s no greater feeling than putting on that jersey for me. I did it for 10 straight years, and then to come back and put it back on, it still feels the same. Different number, but, still feels \u2026 nothing feels better than wearing Mercury across my chest, and, every night single night, going out there with them, and them welcoming me in the second half of the season has been nothing. It just felt like the perfect fit. Like, we didn\u2019t have a drop-off, and they were already playing well, and I just kind of, you know, molded my way in there. So, I\u2019m just home. It just feels good, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a league where staying power is difficult, where 30-somethings can be replaced easily by younger, cheaper talent, Bonner\u2019s ability to last 17 years in the WNBA is admirable, especially since she remains a reliable scorer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the people that\u2019s been on this journey with me for \u2026 all those playoff runs, first of all \u2026 but I don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t know if I had time to sit back and think about it yet. Just focusing on the finals and the next game. But I will, once the season is over,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ll go back and look at those things, but man, it\u2019s hard to get here. It\u2019s hard to get to the finals. I was just telling them, like, I\u2019ve been in the league and all these playoff appearances, and I\u2019ve only been to the finals maybe, what, three times? And just how hard it is to get back there, so I\u2019m just honored and blessed to be back in there with this group.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts said he knew Bonner would eventually help his club win a playoff game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure that there was people wondering why I was playing DB at times in this series early,\u201d he said. \u201cWe went and got her for this reason. I told her after the game, the first three quarters weren\u2019t a big enough moment for her. She needed the fourth quarter to step up, and I mean, she hit some big threes, and you know, her experience, that\u2019s why you go get a player like that. What DB did, because she hadn\u2019t particularly played that well in this series, and you know, just \u2026 I got the ultimate trust in her. She\u2019s been through every experience, and I\u2019m super happy for her to do this in front of this crowd.\u201d<\/p>\n
What we\u2019ve learned this offseason is that it\u2019s not an optimal situation to be a restricted free agent this summer, as another player had to settle for the qualifying offer after their club refused a long-term extension. The 76ers agreed to a one-year, $8.7 million deal with swingman Quentin Grimes, who was seeking as much as $30 million per season after a strong stint. Grimes and Brooklyn\u2019s Cameron Thomas had to settle for qualifying offers, while Chicago\u2019s Josh Giddey and Golden State\u2019s Jonathan Kuminga agreed to multiyear deals. Grimes and Thomas will be unrestricted free agents next summer and are essentially playing this season seeking the lucrative contracts they felt they deserve \u2026 The NBA and Amazon Web Service agreed to a multiyear deal that will allow AWS to be the official AI sponsor for the league and develop a statistical platform that will allow fans to explore innovative stats on the league\u2019s social channels \u2026 The Celtics will host the Bucks on Feb. 1 for the first NBA Pioneers Classic to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the league integrating with all-time greats Earl Lloyd, Nathaniel \u201cSweetwater\u201d Clifton, and former Celtic Chuck Cooper. Cooper was the first Black player drafted by an NBA team in 1950, going 13th overall to the Celtics and playing four seasons with the team. Lloyd was the first Black player to play in the NBA with the Washington Capitols on Oct. 31, 1950. Clifton signed with the Knicks as a free agent and then became the second Black player to play in the league. Clifton was named to the All-Star team in 1957. All three players were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame \u2026 A player for Celtics fans to watch is Miami guard Dru Smith, who is participating in Heat training camp just nine months after tearing his Achilles\u2019 in a December game. Smith is participating in five-on-five drills and there is a chance he could be active on the opening night roster. Jayson Tatum just celebrated his 20th week from Achilles\u2019 surgery and hasn\u2019t counted out playing this season for the Celtics. Tatum said he will not rush to return, but the fact Smith has returned to fullcourt play nine months after surgery may be an encouraging sign. Tatum released a video last week of running on the floor and taking jumpers, perhaps hinting that he will not sit out the entire season. <\/p>\n
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe<\/a>.<\/p>\n