Jaylen Brown didn’t waste any time getting back on the court after the news broke. Hours after reports confirmed the Celtics had traded him to the 76ers, Brown was spotted at Tracy McGrady’s one-on-one basketball league in Orlando. Kristen Lago of WESH 2 News caught him there, and the video spread fast.
The trade itself is still sinking in. Boston shipped out a Finals MVP who’d been with the franchise for a decade. Philly gets a proven winner to slot next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The Sixers are betting that core can make a real run. The Celtics, meanwhile, are betting on Paul George filling that void — a risky play given his age and injury history.
But Brown showing up at McGrady’s league the same night? That says something.
McGrady’s League and the Mentor Relationship
McGrady started the Ones Basketball League back in 2022. It’s a one-on-one format with celebrity team owners and a city-versus-city tournament structure. He’s been a mentor to Brown for years now, long before any of this trade stuff went public.
In fact, McGrady had been vocal about Brown’s frustrations in Boston. After the Celtics lost to the Sixers in the first round of the playoffs, McGrady talked openly about Brown wanting out. He even said he’d convinced Brown to stay. Guess that didn’t hold.
McGrady’s NBA Career in Brief
T-Mac played 15 seasons in the league, from 1997 to 2013, with stops in Toronto, Orlando, and Houston. He never won a title but was one of the most gifted scorers of his era. Seeing him involved with Brown’s career arc makes sense — both guys know what it’s like carrying a franchise through ups and downs.
Brown’s Tenure in Boston
Brown spent 10 years with the Celtics, from 2016 to 2026. Five All-Star appearances. A Finals MVP in 2024. Last season he averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists across 71 games, shooting 47.7% from the field and 35.8% from three. Those are prime-level numbers.
Now he’s in Philly. It’s not just a big move for the Sixers — it’s one of those trades that reshapes how the whole Eastern Conference looks.
The 2026-27 season is going to feel different. A lot different.
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