NBA Notebook: Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum began championship run at Summer League

Jaylen Brown remembers the first time he heard who Danny Ainge wanted to select in the 2017 NBA Draft. Brown had just finished his rookie season, and traveled to Spain in June to represent the NBA at an event in Córdoba. 

"I remember Danny calling me," Brown said at The Finals when asked by Boston Sports Journal. "It was like 4 a.m. Don't ask me why I was up, but Danny calls me and he asked me, 'How'd you feel about Jayson Tatum?'" 

Ainge traded Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce 11 years ago this week in what'll go down as his most famous deal, securing Brooklyn Nets picks that became Brown in 2016 and Tatum in 2017. Both players joined a roster of veterans ready to compete, carrying offensive and defensive questions, respectively, while trade rumors overshadowed their entry into the league. While Brown played sparingly as a rookie, Boston planned to hold him out of Summer League that July when he returned from Europe. Brown demanded to play, and after Ainge traded down from No. 1 overall to No. 3, opting to take Tatum over near consensus top prospect Markelle Fultz, the duo began a partnership nobody could've imagined then would last seven years and grow into a championship core. Boston saw Isaiah Thomas, Gordon Hayward and Al Horford becoming those cornerstones in 2017-18. 

The 2017 Summer League team, when it gathered, was projected to provide that group depth, future contributors, or trade pieces. Brad Stevens' assistant coach Jerome Allen oversaw the roster, which featured Brown, Tatum, second-round pick Semi Ojeleye from SMU, Jabari Bird, who played at California with Brown, and Abdel Nader, the No. 58 overall selection from Iowa St. Ante Žižić, Boston's 2016 first-round pick following Brown, whom the team stashed in Turkey, joined them in Vegas planning to play for the Celtics in 2018. He would go to Cleveland in the Kyrie Irving trade one month later. Second-year guard Demetrius Jackson also played in Vegas, along with Kadeem Allen, Rosco Allen, Perrin Buford, Landen Lucas, Terran Petteway, Scoot Wood and undrafted Dayton guard Scoochie Smith. 

"The mentality was for everybody to showcase," Smith told Boston Sports Journal. "So everybody's competing a little bit. But I think we did all the competition the first few days of training camp before we went to Utah, because we played with some of the members from the team like Marcus Smart and other guys. So I think all of that competitive nature went out the window when we actually got to Utah and now we gotta compete against other people. It was more of a camaraderie and everybody played a role ... as far as people trying to compete for minutes, it was a little tough because we have Jaylen and Jayson ... everybody more so just came into the form and played their own role instead of, in Summer League, a lot of people can compete with each other. We didn't really have that. It was good, just getting into the flow, seeing how physical and how fast the game is actually played with guys who are already on that level who are veterans." 

Smith saw the star duo develop chemistry quickly. Tatum entered camp wearing No. 11 prior to the Irving trade, so they earned the nickname 7/11. They developed a handshake and had inside jokes. They also went to work, Allen praising Tatum's maturity for a 19-year-old and calling him an old soul. Underneath, however, Tatum was feeling anxiety. He wanted to go to a team where he would play more consistently than Boston could provide and upon arrival, trade rumors hung over his head similar to how Brown's career began with Jimmy Butler reports overhead. Tatum also had a son on the way that he didn't reveal to Stevens until after the draft, fearful that it would change the way the Celtics looked at him. 

It helped that Brown and Tatum knew each other. Smith didn't know it then, but they had played together in various camps prior to reuniting with the Celtics. A now famous photo showed them together at the University of Kansas, Brown sporting his flat top from his teenage years and Tatum sitting next to him with his skinny, long arms. That's why Ainge called Brown to hear his thoughts on Tatum, because Brown knew Tatum better than any of the veterans on the Celtics who spent the prior year making a run to the east finals while Tatum played at Duke. Brown told Ainge that Tatum would be a great choice. 

"I played with him at top-100 camp, he was my roommate at the KD Elite Camp," Brown said. "We played on the same team in so many different (camps), the Under Armor All-American Game, we were roommates again. So I had a lot of experience with him. I played with him on the same team. There was a lot of respect ... fast forward from there, we've been winning ever since." 

They unofficially debuted as Celtics in Utah, Boston taking part in the Salt Lake City Summer League then prior to Las Vegas. The NBA scheduled the prime-time opener as a Tatum-Fultz matchup, with Nader, Brown, Ojeleye and Žižić joining him in the starting lineup. Fultz scored the first basket, but Brown and Tatum combined for 50 points on 18-for-33 shooting. Brown shot 3-for-4 from three and grabbed 13 rebounds. Tatum generated five steals with seven rebounds and three assists. They ran, exploding for dunks and their length disrupted Philadelphia in an 89-88 win where Fultz only shot 6-for-16. 

Both players clearly had plenty to work on, Brown turned the ball over seven times that night, but he clearly looked ready to take a leap into year two. Tatum flashed the shot-making that'd make him an opening night starter before he became an offensive mainstay in Hayward's absence when the Celtics free agent crashed to the floor and broke his leg six minutes into his time with the team. Brown saw nervousness in Tatum entering that night, but the rookie scored eight of Boston's final 10 points. 

"I was excited to finally put on an NBA jersey," Tatum said at The Finals. "I was young. I was overwhelmed. Everything was new to me from being at the new practice facility. I remember going through Summer League practice, J.B. was on the team obviously and learning from him and learning from the assistant coaches. Jerome Allen was there. Micah Schrewsberry was one of the coaches. It was a hell of an experience in Utah and in Vegas. I was just so happy to be in the NBA at the time. I was really a kid. It was a great experience. Obviously, we've grown a lot since then, but I was just so happy to be there and put on that jersey for the first time." 

Tatum broke out in the second Utah game against the Spurs, posting 23 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 10-for-18 from the field. San Antonio won, receiving 10 points off the bench from a first-round pick out of Colorado named Derrick White. Brown sat out the third game while Tatum scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a loss against Donovan Mitchell's Jazz before the NBA set up another showcase to begin the Vegas portion of Summer League between Boston and the Lakers. LA featured No. 2 overall pick Lonzo Ball along with Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma, future Clippers center Ivica Zubac and Alex Caruso in a roster now considered one of the best ever at the Summer League. Tatum exploded for 27 points with 11 rebounds in a win.

Smith remembered the atmosphere that night at Thomas and Mack Center most, along with the hype and anticipation that he couldn't believe surrounded a Summer League game. They drew some large crowds to Utah, too, he said, which helped them feel more comfortable and prepared for the environment in Vegas. Boston swept through the first three games there before splitting the final two with Brown and Tatum on the bench. Ojeleye and Nader emerged as rotation players for the team, as did Bird, who was later traded from the Celtics following domestic violence charges. Kadeem Allen signed the first two-way contract in franchise history and went on to play for the Knicks before beginning an overseas career in 2020. 

Smith, who remains friends with Tatum to this day and also plays overseas, attended Game 5 and posed for pictures alongside the new champion, many pounds heavier and one of the most accomplished players in the league at only 26 years old. 

"This is crazy, because we were just talking about this a few days ago," Smith said one week after the championship. "It's what he manifested, something that we always spoke about. Whenever he spoke to me about basketball, what he became is what he wanted. When you're young, coming to league, all you wanna do is set that precedent and set the standard for yourself and get respect from your peers. He did that and more. I remember one time during training camp ... that was pretty much the whole conversation of how he wanted to just play ... there were trade rumors when he first got drafted that summer ... he was just like, 'I just wanna play basketball. I don't mind. It could be anywhere right now.' The fact that he went to a good team and kept that mentality kept him level-headed ... his mentality was just to play basketball ... that's all he wanted to do." 

Here's what else happened around the NBA this week...

Atlanta: Zaccharie Risacher made his first impression at Summer League on Friday against No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr and the Wizards, hitting a quick lefty layup and corner three seconds into the game. He finished with 18 points on 7-for-16 shooting (3-9 3PT). Their 2023 first-round pick Kobe Bufkin will not play in Vegas due to a right shoulder injury he suffered in camp leading up to the showcase. He's expected to make a full recovery before training camp, the team said. GM Landry Fields spoke for the first time since the Dejounte Murray trade, calling it a tough decision and wouldn't rule out additional changes as the Hawks continue to build. 

“We have a lot of value in Trae (Young). We really do,” Fields said. “We had a lot of value in Dejounte. But this is those moments where you have to make those hard decisions." 

Boston: Jaylen Brown seemingly expressed displeasure over being snubbed from the 2024 Olympic USA national team on X, calling out Nike after the national team selected Derrick White to replace him. Grant Hill said the team chose White due to fit when Kawhi Leonard backed out to focus on the Clippers and his health. Jayson Tatum, who shot 4-for-7 with eight points in the US' exhibition win over Canada, stayed away from the topic, saying there were a number of players who could've made the roster. Brown hasn't signed a new shoe deal since his Adidas contract ended in 2021 and previously criticized Nike when they dropped Kyrie Irving during his suspension from the Nets. Brown asked then when Nike cared about ethics. He has also worn Nike shoes with the logo blocked out in recent seasons and has spoken about developing a new shoe brand or partnership. Sam Hauser became extension-eligible on Tuesday, but the two sides haven't agreed to a deal yet. Baylor Scheierman and Anton Watson will debut at Summer League on Saturday against Miami at 6:30 EST. The Celtics will also play Bronny James' Lakers (MON), Charles Lee's Hornets (WED) and the Mavericks (FRI). 

Charlotte: Charles Lee is coaching the Hornets' Summer League team as he acclimates to the team's head coaching role after staying with the Celtics through mid-June. Brandon Miller will join the team in Vegas after missing the first leg of summer league while playing with the US select team. The rest of Charlotte's players have praised Lee's early coaching style, with DJ MacLeay in Boston and others noticing an energetic video of him leading practice. The Hornets also quietly acquired Josh Green, the young Mavericks wing who played Finals minutes this summer, in the Klay Thompson trade. The trade, which became the first six-team deal in NBA history, also included the Kyle Anderson and Buddy Hield sign-and-trades to Golden State. 

"His positivity, his energy, his day-to-day," MacLeay said. "I don't know if you guys have watched the Charlotte games, but the joy that they're playing with and the energy that they have is really special." 

Chicago: DeMar DeRozan's three seasons came to an end with a sign-and-trade to the Kings that officially thrusts Chicago into its first rebuild in recent memory. The Bulls received Chris Duarte from Sacramento and two second-rounders, while the two teams re-routed Harrison Barnes to the Spurs with draft compensation. Chicago also signed Jalen Smith, who spent the last three seasons with the Pacers. The Bulls, who have now made their first two player trades since 2021 by moving Alex Caruso and DeRozan, will eventually move on to addressing Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević futures. Matas Buzelis makes his Bulls debut on Saturday against the Bucks at 4:30 EST. He'll be joined by DJ Steward, who played for Maine last season. 

Cleveland: Evan Mobley and the Cavaliers are discussing an extension after the Cavs agreed to a new three-year deal with Donovan Mitchell earlier this month. The previously CBA would've limited the number of designated rookie maximum extensions Cleveland could have on the books simultaneously, which was an issue that could've impacted Mobley when Mitchell arrived from Utah, but it's no longer in place. Brian Windhorst reported that the Cavs are expected to offer Mobley the five-year max, with negotiations not at a giant impasse, Windhorst noted. Mobley can make $270 million. 

Dallas: Klay Thompson spoke for the first time since leaving the Warriors for the Mavs, calling it a rejuvenating move and a fresh start. Thompson said he chose to move on when the Warriors made acquiring Paul George a priority over negotiations with him. Thompson will wear No. 31 with Dallas and still believes he can be a very good player, noting he'll provide both a veteran presence and some of his vintage big scoring nights to the team. The keys to his success here, however, will align similarly to the ones he managed in Golden State, defending consistently and playing an ancillary role on offense. The summer Mavs will feature Olivier-Maxence Prosper, AJ Lawson, Brandon Williams and second-round pick Melvin Ajinca from France. 

Denver: Jamal Murray declined to comment on contract extension negotiations with the Nuggets while Team Canada visited Las Vegas for an Olympic exhibition against Team USA. Murray ($36.0M) becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer as Denver grows more cost-conscious, letting Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope go in each of the past two summers. Murray and the Nuggets were engaged on a four-year, maximum contract two weeks ago, according to Shams Charania, with no contract reported since. Murray might be waiting until the Olympics are over to sign the deal. He scored five points on 2-for-8 shooting and didn't record an assist in Canada's loss to the US. Free agent Gary Trent Jr. won't take less money to join Denver, according to a report, as the avenues for the Nuggets to improve this summer keep closing. Julian Strawther and Jalen Pickett will headline the Denver summer team, but 2024 first round pick DaRon Holmes II tearing his achilles dealt a major blow to the Nuggets' youth movement. 

Detroit: Introduced J.B. Bickerstaff as their new head coach, who sees potential in a roster built around Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, who he'll try to stagger after Monty Williams struggled to balance their minutes in his lone season as Detroit's coach. Cunningham agreed to a five-year, $224 million extension to remain the team's centerpiece after taking a major step as a shooter last season, returning after an a leg injury derailed him in 2022-23. Cunningham and Bickerstaff face an uphill battle to rebuild a franchise that hasn't won a playoff game since 2008, but have a cast of intriguing young players around them to begin molding, including Ron Holland, who will lead the summer league team, Jalen Duren, Ivey and Ausar Thompson, who won't play in Vegas as he continues his recovery from blood clots that ended his rookie season. The Pistons continued their run of acquiring unsung veterans by claiming 25-year-old center Paul Reed off waivers from the 76ers, who played with fellow Philadelphia addition Tobias Harris there. 

"I think the proof is there that we have the experience," Bickerstaff said. "There's some high-level, high-ceiling potential guys. It's our responsibility to help them get there."

Golden State: GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. said the Warriors' priorities are winning and extending Steph Curry after a transformative offseason where they lost Klay Thompson, cut costs and continue to seek an identity beyond their dynasty years. Curry is 36, still has two seasons left on contract and hasn't dipped at all below his prime productivity. That creates a grueling path forward for a Golden State franchise that would probably otherwise rebuild. Can they shift from the Thompson era into a new-look contender? It'll inevitably depend on Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Draymond Green, despite his issues in recent seasons, appears cemented here alongside Curry. 

"This isn't something where it's like broken completely. We just need to tune some things up," Dunleavy said. "I think we've been able to do that, and we're excited about this group."

Clippers: Reportedly interested in a sign-and-trade for Wizards free agent Tyus Jones, whose market has stalled with no major needs around the league for point guards. LA could combine PJ Tucker and Russell Westbrook's money to make the salary and second apron considerations work, along with Bones Hyland if Washington has interest in taking a flier on the young guard. Jones averaged 7.3 APG and shot 41.4% from three with Washington after Memphis traded him for Marcus Smart in the Kristaps Porziņģis trade last summer. Kawhi Leonard withdrew from Team USA, citing health concerns. 

Lakers: Dalton Knecht broke out for 25 points as the Lakers began their Vegas leg of Summer League play while Bronny James' shooting struggles continued, shooting 3-for-14 from the field and 0-for-8 from three to fall to 0-for-12 overall this summer. James said he'll accept a G-League assignment to begin the season if necessary, saying he's just in a slump through three exhibitions. Knecht, the No. 17 overall pick, hit 5-of-11 from three in the loss. 

"Shoot, he's going to have a long career," Lakers summer coach Dane Johnson said. "This is just the beginning. We just keep instilling [confidence], keep that in their heads. So, we've got a long way to go."

Memphis: Zach Edey became the betting favorite to win rookie of the year after a strong showing in the Utah leg of summer league. Edey shot 7-for-12 with 14 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks, missing a put-back dunk late in regulation that could've won the game, but following it up with a tip-in on an intentional free throw miss to force overtime. Edey looks slimmer, quicker and it's becoming difficult to not be intrigued by his NBA potential as the league grows larger. The Grizzlies loved playing double-big with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Steven Adams. Could Edey become the new Adams here? 

Miami: Jaime Jaquez Jr. will join the Heat in Summer League on Saturday for their Vegas opener against the Celtics, spending last week with the US Select team. Jaquez will likely play limited minutes, if he does at all, after his scrimmage work last week and a standout rookie season. Alongside him in the front court, rookie center Kel'el Ware comes off the California Classic averaging 19.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG and 3.0 BPG on 51.5% shooting, but hasn't made a three in five tries. Miami's summer roster also features former first-round pick Josh Christopher, Florida guard Zyon Pullin and two-way guards Cole Swider and Alondes Williams, despite the latter two having their qualifying offers rescinded this week. The Heat tried to get DeMar DeRozan. 

Minnesota: Anthony Edwards said that Team USA had to play through him, and it did as he led them in scoring with 13 over Canada, including a buzzer-beater three to end the third quarter. Edwards, like Jayson Tatum, came off the bench for the exhibition, but it's easy to imagine both starting when the actual games begin. At Summer League, rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. (25 pts, 9-14 FG) looks like a potential rotation wing for the Wolves while Rob Dillingham, who Minnesota traded up to pick eighth overall, struggled in his debut, finishing 2-for-12 from the field with four points.  

New Orleans: Brandon Ingram's agent is reportedly assessing trade suitors who could pay Ingram four years, $208 million, his asking price as the summer progresses with little momentum toward him finding a new team entering the final year of his contract. Marc Stein reported that the Pelicans will not go to that length to re-sign him. Sam Hauser's brother Joey Hauser is on New Orleans' Summer League roster after spending last year with the Clippers' G-League affiliate, shooting 32.3% from three with 6.5 PPG. Rookie Yves Missi and second-year wing Jordan Hawkins headline the team.

New York: Jalen Brunson agreed to a massive pay cut in his four-year Knicks extension that amounts to $113 million less than what he could've made by waiting to re-sign with New York until next summer. The deal amounts to $156.5 million, with Knicks president Leon Rose telling ESPN that Brunson can secure that money with a $323 million deal in 2028 or a $418 million contract in 2029. That's a long time from now, but Brunson agreed anyway, wanting New York to maintain flexibility as NBA rules become far more restrictive for the most expensive rosters. OG Anunoby signed a $200 million contract this summer, while Mikal Bridges is due a significant new deal when his two-year, $48 million one comes to an end in 2026. Brunson reportedly studied how Tom Brady's pay cuts helped the Patriots, along with the similar effects of Patrick Mahomes and Derek Jeter's deals on winning teams. Brunson initially signed a four-year, $104 million deal in 2022 to join the Knicks from the Mavericks, where he began his career. The Knicks are $15.7 million beneath their hard cap this summer, with Precious Achiuwa still in free agency maintaining interest in a return to New York. 

Philadelphia: Kyle Lowry will return to the 76ers after closing last season with his hometown team. Lowry averaged 8.0 PPG and 4.6 APG while shooting 44.4% from the field and 40.4% from three with the Sixers. He'll turn 38 this March, but still provides enough secondary playmaking, shooting and physicality to remain useful to a contender that'll primarily feature Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt. Rookie Jared McCain, Eric Gordon and Lowry will try to replace outgoing veteran De'Anthony Melton, McCain shooting 29.4% from the field and 18.8% from three through three summer games in Utah, highlighting the need for multiple options in the backcourt. Guard Ricky Council IV, former first-round pick RJ Hampton and old friend Romeo Langford round out their Vegas team, though Langford is dealing with a toe injury. Forward KJ Martin will also return to Philadelphia on a new deal. Caleb Martin said he has no regrets about joining the Sixers after reportedly passing up a larger offer from his former Miami Heat team. 

“Just certain things didn’t work,” Martin said. “There was a lot of things behind the scenes that went on. Ultimately, there was a lot in making that decision. There’s a lot that contributed to how everything went. But past is past, can’t do nothing about that. I’m looking forward to being here and being a part of Philly and trying to bring everything I can in order to try and win a championship. That’s my main focus now.”

Phoenix: Crossed $400 million in roster costs for this season, an NBA record, becoming the first test for maintaining a massive luxury tax, payroll and incurring second apron penalties rather than downsizing under the new rules. Josh Okogie signed a two-year, $16 million deal to stay with the Suns, thrusting them over that line. Phoenix will pay $198 million in luxury tax this season. Okogie averaged 4.6 PPG and shot 41.7% last year, seeing his minutes drop compared to 2022-23. 

Sacramento: Rookie Devin Carter will miss six months after undergoing surgery on a torn left labrum in his shoulder. Sacramento drafted Carter 13th overall from Providence in the 2024 draft. His absence leaves De'Aaron Fox, DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk as the team's backcourt depth. The Kings also signed Jordan McLaughlin, an underrated Wolves backup point guard in recent seasons, who might go down as a summer steal. 

San Antonio: Maybe the sneaky winner in the DeMar DeRozan trade? Harrison Barnes could potentially help the Spurs, who could afford his two-year, $37 million deal more than the Bulls. Sacramento sent a 2031 unprotected pick to San Antonio to take on Barnes, which joins two selections the Spurs received from Minnesota around the turn of the decade for trading out of the first round. The Spurs now have a massive stockpile of valuable picks to upgrade their roster in-season if they start hot, next summer or to retain to supplement the roster into Victor Wembanyama's prime. He turns 27 in 2031.

Utah: Brandin Podziemski would be necessary to get a Lauri Markkanen deal done between the Warriors and Jazz, according to Tim MacMahon, as the whispers about Markkanen moving continue, but haven't accelerated. Zach Lowe believes that San Antonio can make the best offer. If the Jazz extend Markkanen, he isn't trade eligible for sixth months, which places a hard Aug. 6 deadline on him extending if Utah wants to trade him this season. Utah reportedly prefers to keep Markkanen. Walker Kessler and Keyonte George will no longer play Vegas Summer League after participating in Utah. Kyle Filipowski, Taylor Hendricks, Brice Sensabaugh, Cody Williams and Isaiah Collier headline the remaining roster, which tips off on Saturday vs. DAL.

Washington: Beat the Hawks in a battle between No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr. Sarr posted 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four blocks on 4-for-12 shooting, including 2-for-5 efficiency from three. Bub Carrington, Washington's No. 14 overall pick, added 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Former Celtic Justin Champagnie, who joined Washington last year, scored 18 points as well. The Wizards signed former Piston and Hawk Saddiq Bey, who tore his ACL in March and will likely miss a significant portion of this season. Bey is from DC and only turns 26 later this season. He signed for three-years, $20 million. Washington is reportedly interested in Evan Fournier, who is playing with Bilal Coulibaly for France.