Overview
- On Wednesday Stephen A. Smith told ESPN’s First Take that Tatum could have stopped the Jaylen Brown trade and that Brown would still be a Celtic if Tatum had objected.
- The debate followed Boston’s season opener on Tuesday when the Celtics blew a 22-point lead and Tatum shot 6-for-23 with 0-for-7 from three while finishing with 13 points and 11 assists.
- Paul George scored 38 points in his Celtics debut after arriving in the deal that sent Brown to Philadelphia.
- Celtics president Brad Stevens has said Tatum was not consulted about the July trade, which sent Brown to the 76ers and returned Paul George plus two first-round and two second-round picks to Boston.
- Fan reaction is divided on social media and the dispute now centers on leadership and on-court outcomes, with the November 10 regular-season meeting in Philadelphia seen as the next key moment.