Inside The Celtics

Jaylen Brown Discusses Departure of 'My Brother' Marcus Smart: 'Change Is Not Always a Bad Thing'

The press conference for Jaylen Brown's record-setting NBA contract was the first time he spoke publicly about the Celtics trading Marcus Smart.

Bobby Krivitsky

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In a wide-ranging exclusive interview, Marcus Smart conveyed the following to Inside The Celtics about his relationship with Jaylen Brown.

"I love Jaylen like a brother. I really, truly do. Brothers fight, argue, and nag at each other, but we do it out of love, and we do it to make sure we push each other to be great. It's not just me and Jaylen that do that either; we all do that. We all push each other to be great; it's what makes our locker room so close and special."

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Brown has expressed a similar sentiment about Smart, who, until getting traded to the Grizzlies in the deal bringing Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, was the longest-tenured player on the Celtics and the heart and soul of the team.

"Me and Marcus, we've got like a brother-like relationship," the two-time All-Star told The Athletic's Shams Charania in April.

"We're passionate individuals. We learn from each other. We value each other. We've pushed each other over time. We've held each other accountable over time, and that just created that relationship now where Marcus has become a family figure in my family just because I know where I stand with that person, I know where he stands with me.

"We don't always see eye-to-eye. But when you can look somebody (in the eye) and you could trust them, and you know they'll go to war for you, those are the type of people you want to keep around in your life. Marcus is one of those guys, for sure. I know if I called him, if I needed him, he'll be there."

Wednesday, after signing the most lucrative contract in NBA history, what projects to be a five-year, $304 million veteran supermax extension that could increase in value depending on where next season's league salary cap settles, Brown spoke publicly about Smart's departure for the first time.

"Change is not always a bad thing," stated the All-NBA wing at a press conference held at MIT, home to the Bridge Program, developed by Brown's 7uice Foundation, which works with the Community Biotechnology Initiative at the MIT Media Lab to provide science and technology opportunities for children in Boston's underserved communities.

"My brother and my teammate, one of my best friends, is not on the team anymore. Everybody knows it; I learned so much from Marcus. Marcus has been somebody that is, like, we've butted heads at times, we've fought, we've done it all. We've put each other in headlocks, etc. And the journey won't feel the same without him, to be honest. But it's a part of life. It's a part of what you do going forward.

"And everything that he's instilled into this organization, everything he's instilled into this community, is still gonna be with us; still carry it with us. We're gonna wish him well on his new journey. Obviously, the city of Boston is gonna feel the loss of his impact when he's no longer here, but we'll be able to keep moving forward."

Further Reading

Dwyane Wade Discusses Jayson Tatum's Next Step, Him and Jaylen Brown's Challenge, Heat Culture, Pat Riley, Damian Lillard, and Life After Basketball

Jaylen Brown Wants Record-Setting Contract with Celtics to Spark Revolutionary Goals

Despite Extension, This Season Could Be Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum's Last Chance at a Championship Together

Why Celtics Should Enter 2023-24 Season Optimistic About Most Important Area of Improvement

Payton Pritchard Officially Named to USA Select Team

Amid Negotiations with Celtics, Jaylen Brown Continues Giving Back to Community He Stars In: 'Nothing Fills My Heart More'

Intriguing Option for Celtics May Soon Become Available

Sam Cassell Discusses What Brought Him Back to Boston and What He'll Bring to the Celtics

Oshae Brissett on Joining Celtics: 'I Just Want to Go Win'

Marcus Smart Reflects on His Time with Celtics: 'I Left Everything I Had'

Evaluating Celtics' Options in Free Agency

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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