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The simmering tension between former teammates Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum has become a hot topic in the NBA world. The two stars, who won a championship together for one of the league's most storied franchises, are now engaged in a public back-and-forth.
Such feuds have occurred before in NBA history, with the most famous example being the 2004 divorce between Lakers legends Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. Tatum referenced that duo over the weekend, stating, "this ain't no Shaq and Kobe." However, the situation appears to be heading in that direction more than Tatum might prefer.
On Monday, the saga took another twist when former Celtics player and current team television analyst Brian Scalabrine offered his perspective. "My understanding of this thing is that [Brown] demanded to be traded," Scalabrine said on his Sirius XM radio show. "Not to the media, but to the organization. My understanding is Jaylen Brown went to the organization and had a list of demands. And it was like, 'You either do this or you trade me.' And he was rooting to get traded to Milwaukee, including calling some other teammates about, 'Hey, man, what do you think of Milwaukee? We should go there.'"
No additional reporting has surfaced to corroborate Scalabrine's claims that Brown requested a trade and recruited teammates to join him on the Bucks. As a color commentator who spends considerable time around the organization, Scalabrine may have some bias toward the team, but he also has access that most don't, making it unlikely he fabricated the story.
Regardless of the truth, Brown will likely have to address the allegation, possibly Tuesday morning at the 76ers shootaround before their game against the Pacers. The situation didn't have to escalate this way. Speculation about a rivalry between the two former teammates remained just that until Brown commented "cap" under a post about Tatum expressing shock when Brown was traded to the 76ers. Brown added fuel over the weekend by saying there's no beef with Tatum but "a little lamb chop."
The two players insist there are no personal off-court issues, but the drama is real, and the NBA world is eager to discuss it. ESPN's Marc Spears said Monday that the Celtics favored Tatum, and Brown felt some type of way about that. Former NBA All-Star John Wall supported those comments, theorizing that Brown took offense last season when Tatum returned from injury and was introduced last in the Celtics' starting lineup—a spot reserved for the face of the franchise—despite Brown's MVP-level play. Jeff Teague, who played with both in 2020-21, noted there was competitive tension between them. Lou Williams loves it.
Key Analysis
Rivalries are good for the NBA, and rivalries between former star teammates are even better. The upcoming early November matchup between the Celtics and 76ers is now must-see TV. But if the situation spirals and Brown grows weary of the narrative, he has only himself to blame. And now, he must answer: Did he request a trade from the Celtics?