As chirpings of Jaylen Brown’s uncertain future in Boston have suddenly appeared once again, Celtics legend Paul Pierce provides his interesting notion about the possibility of the star swingman’s departure from Beantown.
In his interview with The Ringer’s Logan Murdock, Brown revealed that he is noncommittal in the long-term viewpoint for Boston. For Pierce, this may only hint that he is eyeing to become a main man of himself for another team.
“Maybe Jaylen wants the opportunity to be ‘the guy’,” Pierce said in his appearance in SiriusXM NBA Radio. “We’ve seen this for years as guys have left teams. Just think James Harden. James Harden wouldn’t be James Harden if he didn’t leave (Oklahoma City). Tracy McGrady wouldn’t have turned into T-Mac if he didn’t leave Toronto. You never know. Maybe that’s on Jaylen’s mind or maybe he’ll stay.
“There’s a lot of factors that go into a mindset of a player of his caliber because we know he’s a premier player in this league. Maybe he wants the opportunity to see if he can be ‘the guy’ or who knows.”
From the previous year, it was Jayson Tatum who was favored by the franchise and many to become the new Celtic cornerstone, as Brown was only settled as his star counterpart.
While Tatum appears to have a higher upside, Brown also has skillful traits of his own. As such, the two powered the Celtics to their title run last year.
Still, Pierce can only commend both Tatum and Brown’s understanding for each other as the Celtics’ centerpieces amid the noises circulating around them.
“I think they have a great understanding of each other,” Pierce said. “I think they uplift each other. He doesn’t get the same touches of the ball every time down like Jayson Tatum. He’s, I think in my opinion, just as equally equipped to handle the same type of responsibility if given the opportunity.”
Brown, who is averaging a career best 26.7 points and 6.9 rebounds this season, will become an unrestricted free-agent in summer of 2024.
