Jaylen Brown has built an unbreakable bond with the city he stars in. Not that it's a competition or a matter meant for comparison, but the former Finals MVP is as involved and connected with the local community as any other athlete in the region, if not more.
However, there have been moments throughout Brown's career where the two sides nearly separated. Dating back to when the Boston Celtics drafted him, he has spent much of his nine-year career involved in trade rumors.
When the franchise selected the Marietta, Georgia, native third overall in 2016, fans were hoping the team would use that pick to take Kris Dunn. The reason wasn't a preference for the latter; it was the rumor that Tom Thibodeau coveted Dunn. With the Chicago Bulls about to move Jimmy Butler, choosing the Providence College guard could have led to Boston acquiring the star forward from "The Windy City."
What made that even more appealing than just bringing Butler into the fold was the idea that doing so would help the Celtics land Kevin Durant in free agency that offseason. To many, that dream went up in smoke when the organization passed on Dunn.
Since then, as Brown blossomed into a four-time All-Star, there have been rumors about trading him for Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, and Kevin Durant.
"There were times where things were looking rough here in Boston," Brown said during one of his recent live streams. "I've been in, I don't know how many times, they put me in trade talks. For whatever reason, it was always something, know what I mean? There were other players that Brad or whoever thought the organization was a better fit, or they were paying more money, whatever."
None of those came to fruition, but Brown had to deal with them every time they happened. He and the Celtics had to communicate about those matters.
And while the focus was on whether the franchise would move on from him, the former All-NBA Second Team selection considered whether it was time for him to break up with them.
"I was like, 'I think it may be time to go, know what I mean?" said Brown. "I think I can go somewhere else. I think I'm talented. I think I can score the ball at a very, very high level. And I'm not allowed to grow the same like other players."
However, a Basketball Hall of Famer explained to him why leaving would be a mistake.
Tracy McGrady convinces Jaylen Brown to stay
Jaylen Brown's two favorite players growing up were Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady. That must've made it even more surreal when the latter became one of his mentors.
Celtics fans are also lucky that happened because he is at the root of why the star wing never asked out of Boston.
"T Mac was like, stay bro," shared Brown. Admittedly, that advice surprised him. After all, McGrady chose to leave his cousin, Vince Carter, to chart his own path. He joined the Orlando Magic for the chance to become the face of a franchise and maximize his potential.
So, when Brown went to him to get his opinion on going in a similar direction, he expected the seven-time All-NBA selection to endorse that. Instead, he cautioned against it.
"Trust me, whatever you can do, if you can stay and you got the opportunity to win, win," advised McGrady.
That message still resonates with Brown.
"I forever took that with me."
Even with the ups and downs that have come with his situation, Brown has always held on to McGrady's message, declaring, "I want to win first."
That clarity has acted as a compass, guiding him throughout his career.