Joe Mazzulla addresses the Jaylen Brown trade to Philadelphia for the first time

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Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is known for being candid when it comes to answering questions. That did not change in his first public appearance since the trade went down.

Of course, team president Brad Stevens already gave the reasoning behind the trade, which was perfectly understandable based on the team's payroll. However, many people were interested in hearing from the person who actually had to coach him on the court.

Joe Mazzulla finally speaks out after the Jaylen Brown trade to Philly

Being the Celtics' head coach is not an easy job because they have to meet expectations. Mazzulla has done a great job in the past few years, but the 2025-26 regular season was one of the most impressive campaigns they have had.

With Jayson Tatum missing most of the season due to his ruptured Achilles tendon, Mazzulla had to rely on Brown to be his star player. They worked well together, as they finished the regular season as the second seed despite the low expectations.

MORE: Brad Stevens gives the salary cap reason behind the Jaylen Brown trade to Philly

Now, Mazzulla is headed into the 2026-27 season without Brown. Of course, Tatum is back, fit and firing, but it will still be an adjustment to be without Brown anymore.

"I think the reaction is just still processing it. Obviously, when something like that happens. It's not a black-and-white type of thing. There's a ton of stuff that goes into it on and off the court," Mazzulla said in Las Vegas in response to questions about the Brown trade.

"The part that I hope gets talked about more –– is really just the respect, the appreciation, and the gratitude for what he did for the Celtics for 10 years."

It was not the best experience to part ways with a star player who had been there for a decade. However, the NBA continues to progress, and the teams have to roll with the punches.