Concerning Jaylen Brown Details Emerge After Celtics' Stunning Playoff Collapse
The Boston Celtics first-round playoff loss to the Philadelphia 76ers was one of the bigger surprises of the NBA season.
Boston blew a 3–1 series lead, dropped a Game 7 at home, and did it without Jayson Tatum, whose injury left the franchise exposed at the worst possible moment.
Jaylen Brown did everything he could, pouring in 33 points in the final game, but the loss exposed deeper cracks, questionable offensive execution, inconsistent coaching decisions, and a team that struggled under pressure.
Now, it looks like the worst may be yet to come for Celtics fans.
Tracy McGrady, a Hall of Famer and longtime mentor to Brown, says the All-NBA wing is "deeply frustrated" with the organization, hinting at internal tension that goes beyond a single playoff loss.
"I think his frustration lies deeply in the organization and other things that we don't have the details to,” McGrady said on the ‘Cousing with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady’ podcast. “There's just been a lot of stuff that I've been hearing, just going on with the Boston organization with JB.”
"I think part of it is like, I've shown you guys more of who I am as a basketball player, not only just what I did on the basketball court, but the leadership I displayed within this team, and you've seen that. Not having our best player in JT, you've seen a different side of me and what I'm able to bring to the game of basketball. So all of that stuff came into play with him and his frustration."
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With Tatum sidelined for most of the year, Brown elevated into a full-fledged No. 1 option, averaging a career-high 28.7 points along with 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, while shooting 47.7% from the field and 34.7% from deep.
In a year where many other teams might have flopped, Brown led Boston to a 56-win season and the No. 2 seed in the East, even putting himself in the MVP conversation for much of the year.
Brown himself criticized his ultimately falling out of the MVP race, suggesting "the bar keeps moving" when it comes to his candidacy. Add in the playoff exit, and it’s easy to see why frustration is beginning to mount in Beantown.
Brown was even fined $50,000 after accusing referees of having an "agenda" during the series against Philly, a sign of how emotionally charged things had become.
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One of the most persistent undercurrents in Boston has been the dynamic between Brown and Tatum.
Even after winning Finals MVP during the Celtics' 2024 title run, Brown has still been framed as the No. 2 option.
This season complicated things further. With Tatum out, Brown became the unquestioned engine, leader, and stabilizer for a team that many still viewed as a title contender.
If McGrady is right, Brown may feel that shift wasn't fully acknowledged internally.
Making matters worse, there’s already a history here with Brown and the Celtics. He previously admitted he considered requesting a trade back in 2019 before McGrady advised him to stay in Boston.
Interestingly, McGrady experienced similar situations during his playing days. He grew frustrated in Orlando and later Houston as team success lagged behind his All-NBA play, eventually leading to exits and constant reshuffling that followed him for years.
Given all of this, trade rumors with Brown are already swirling, including potential blockbuster deals involving stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, and Kevin Durant.
If Brown's frustration deepens, the Celtics could be forced into a franchise-defining decision, trading away a player whom they not only drafted third overall but who arguably played the biggest role in helping them win an NBA championship three years ago.
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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 1:47 PM.