Jaylen Brown has not vented frustration to Celtics, Brad Stevens says - ESPN

Brad Stevens downplayed rumors of a growing rift between Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics, revealing that the veteran star did not vent any frustration over his role in the organization during a recent conversation.

Stevens answered questions about Brown on Wednesday, four days after the Celtics' season ended in stunning fashion with a first-round playoff loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Speculation over Brown's Boston future swirled earlier Wednesday morning thanks to recent comments by basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady, who said the five-time All-Star's «frustration lies deeply within the [Celtics] organization.»

Stevens said he spoke with Brown on Monday and described the conversation as «nothing but positive.»

«He has not expressed those frustrations to me,» said Stevens, the Celtics' president of basketball operations.

Brown made headlines earlier this week with his comments during an appearance on his Twitch stream, when he criticized officiating and called out Sixers star Joel Embiid for flopping throughout the seven-game series between Boston and Philadelphia.

The comments came one day after Brown and the Celtics lost Game 7 at home, becoming the 14th team in NBA history to squander a 3-1 postseason series lead. But Stevens voiced support for Brown on Wednesday, adding that he was open to ongoing conversations with the 2024 NBA Finals MVP.

«We've been here 10 years together, and I do think that — obviously I love JB,» Stevens said. «Everybody around here loves JB, and I think — just like any of our other guys, as we get to the end of the season — I'll be here, and my door is always open.»

McGrady, a longtime mentor to Brown, speculated on his «Cousins» podcast that Brown has issues stemming from his