Jaylen Brown, a pivotal figure in the current Boston Celtics' success, reveals that his continued presence with the team was significantly influenced by NBA legend Tracy McGrady. Brown, now performing at an MVP-caliber level, confided that he had considered seeking a trade from Boston earlier in his career. McGrady, a childhood idol, intervened, offering advice that Brown found instrumental. The conversations took place over a few days of workouts and casual discussions, where McGrady reportedly urged Brown to remain with the Celtics, emphasizing his future importance to the franchise.
"He's telling me like, I'm thinking like one thing and he's thinking like, nah, you need to stay, it's going to be you," Brown recounted. This intervention appears to have occurred after the 2018-19 season, a period during which Brown reportedly felt conflicted about his long-term prospects with the team. He later spent time with McGrady in Houston during an offseason to further work and talk.
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McGrady's perspective, according to Brown, was that the young star was "blinded by" certain perceptions, suggesting he saw a clearer path for Brown with Boston. Following McGrady's advice, Brown experienced a significant performance leap in the subsequent season, averaging over 20 points per game for the first time in his career and has maintained that scoring level since.
Brown expressed profound gratitude for McGrady's guidance and hospitality. He recalled being welcomed into McGrady's home, where he could ask questions and receive advice about his future and mindset. This pivotal period, marked by Brown's inclusion in numerous trade rumors, could have drastically altered both his career trajectory and the Celtics' present-day composition. McGrady's role as a "voice of reason" is now highlighted as a crucial factor in preventing a potentially career-altering move.
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Background
The narrative emerges as Brown continues to anchor the Celtics, currently holding a strong position in the Eastern Conference. His statistical output this season—averaging 28.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists over 58 games—underscores his development into the team's undisputed leader, particularly as teammate Jayson Tatum works towards full recovery. McGrady, a seven-time All-Star, apparently offered his insights following a tough playoff exit for the Celtics against the Milwaukee Bucks.
