Jaylen Brown said he needs time to adjust to the Philadelphia 76ers after being traded from the Boston Celtics.
The move represents a significant shift for one of the league's premier players, who must now integrate into a system and city that served as a primary antagonist for much of his career.
Brown, a five-time NBA All-Star [2] and the 2024 NBA Finals MVP [3], was traded to Philadelphia following an announcement on Wednesday night, Feb. 25, 2026 [4]. The transition follows 10 years of rivalry between the player and the 76ers organization [1].
"I need time to adjust. It's going to be an adjustment coming into Philly after ten years of rivalry," Brown said.
The player expressed a complex emotional response to the trade. While some reports indicate he is eager to begin working in the gym and start this new chapter, Brown described a mix of optimism and regret regarding the departure from Boston.
"I'm excited about the new opportunity, but I'm also disappointed because I love the Celtics and this was a tough move," Brown said.
Adapting to the city of Philadelphia presents a specific psychological challenge for the athlete. Because of the deep-seated competition between the two franchises, Brown noted that his previous experiences shaped his view of the city.
"I've been programmed to hate Philadelphia, so this is the toughest part of the trade for me," Brown said.
The trade requires Brown to adapt to new teammates and a different tactical system. His arrival in Philadelphia brings a high-caliber scoring threat to the roster, though the player noted that the mental shift of joining a former enemy remains the most difficult hurdle.
“"I've been programmed to hate Philadelphia, so this is the toughest part of the trade for me."”
The trade of a franchise pillar like Brown to a direct rival is rare in the modern NBA. By acknowledging the 'programming' of the rivalry, Brown highlights the psychological toll of professional sports transitions. His success in Philadelphia will depend not only on his on-court chemistry with new teammates but on his ability to pivot from a decade of institutional animosity toward the 76ers organization.
