The blockbuster trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers has understandably sparked an emotional rollercoaster in Boston.

Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell offered a reminder that even franchise greats are not saved from the business side of pro basketball.

In an interview with WBZTV, Cassell discussed Brown’s exit from Boston to Philadelphia.

“Well, we won a championship with Jaylen Brown in Boston,” Cassell said. “Jaylen has done everything possible for this city… He’ll be missed, but it is the NBA. Wilt Chamberlain got traded after he averaged 50 points one year. So it happens.

“Trades happen in this league. I wish nothing but the best for Jaylen Brown. He’s a hell of a basketball player, a great person, and life goes on,” added the longtime NBA assistant, who has been with the Celtics for the past three seasons.

Cassell’s perspective carries weight given both his playing and coaching careers, which have a combined four championships.

Brown’s departure closes one of the most successful chapters in recent Celtics history.

Drafted third overall in 2016, he spent a decade in Boston and developed from a raw prospect into one of the NBA’s elite two-way wings.

During his tenure, Brown earned five All-Star selections, two All-NBA honors and helped lead Boston to multiple NBA Finals appearances while capturing Finals MVP in the 2024 Championship run.

After Jayson Tatum suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in May of 2025, Brown assumed an even larger offensive burden, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists while helping Boston secure the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Now, Brown is headed to Philly.

The trade has generated mixed reactions across the league, and as especially polarizing in Boston.

“We’ll be fine,” Cassell assured. “Yeah, we’ll be fine. We’ll be fine. We’ll figure it out. The game’s played on the basketball court. We’ll figure that part out.”