What happened: Marc J. Spears said he's hearing that Jaylen Brown, in a lot of ways, felt Jayson Tatum was viewed as the favorite in Boston, offering insight into the front office's call to move him. The Celtics sent Brown out in a deal that brought back Paul George and four draft picks. Tatum has called the split "weird" after nine seasons paired together.

Why it matters: The reported dynamic gives context to a trade that already drew pushback from the players' union over the salary cap system forcing Boston's hand. It also reframes the partnership's ending as a front-office read on hierarchy, not just a cap-driven split, as the Celtics retool around Tatum and George.

What to watch: Watch how Tatum and George mesh heading into the 2026-27 season, and whether Brown addresses the report directly.