What happened: Doc Rivers said Tommy Heinsohn was the first person he thought of after the Jaylen Brown trade surprised him, according to Boston.com. Rivers coached the Celtics for nine seasons and worked alongside Heinsohn, who called Celtics games as a broadcaster for decades after his own Hall of Fame coaching career.

Why it matters: Rivers' comment ties the trade to the franchise's broader history rather than just its current roster math. Heinsohn, who died in 2020, remains a central figure in Celtics coaching lore, and Rivers invoking him underscores how the Brown deal is being read against that lineage.

What to watch: Watch for further Rivers commentary as the Celtics enter the 2026-27 season following the trade.