For the first time since entering the NBA, Jayson Tatum is preparing for a season without Jaylen Brown by his side.After Boston traded Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this month, Tatum admitted the adjustment has been difficult, speaking honestly about the blockbuster move while attending the 2026 ESPY Awards.If Im being transparent, its weird, Tatum said. Ive been on the Celtics for nine years and he was my teammate every single one of those.Brown and Tatum were selected by Boston with the No. 3 overall pick in back-to-back drafts in 2016 and 2017, forming one of the leagues most successful duos. Together, they helped restore the Celtics to championship contention and eventually led the franchise to its 18th NBA title in 2024.That partnership officially came to an end on July 6 when Boston dealt Brown to Philadelphia in exchange for veteran forward Paul George, along with two future first-round picks and two future second-round picks.While Tatum understands why deals like this happen, he admitted that doesnt make moving on any easier.The NBA is a business. Theres still a human element of it that you feel those emotions. The city feels those emotions, Tatum said. But theres also a side of like, we have to welcome our new teammates in with open arms, and we still have to attack the new season.So, theres like a balance. But its weird.Despite acknowledging the emotional side of the trade, Tatum knows the Celtics have little choice but to move forward as they enter a new era.Related Article: Bam Adebayo & Tyler Herro Involved in Heated ConfrontationBoston will head into the 2026-27 season with a dramatically different roster after parting ways with the 2024 NBA Finals MVP. The Celtics are hoping the additions of George and future draft assets can help reshape the franchise following a disappointing first-round playoff exit last season.Brown, meanwhile, joins a Philadelphia team built around Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, with the Sixers also remaining in the conversation for LeBron James in free agency.READ MORE: Tyler Herro Breaks Silence After Bam Adebayo Incident
