Jaylen Brown never requested a trade from the Boston Celtics, but he did submit lists of preferred destinations and teams he wanted to avoid once he learned he was being discussed in trade talks. The Philadelphia 76ers, who were his eventual trade destination, appeared on neither list.

Brown was interested in a trade to the Brooklyn Nets. Brooklyn management was wary because of his past support of Kyrie Irving, who was suspended during his Nets tenure for sharing social media posts containing antisemitic tropes.

The front office believed the Brown-Jayson Tatum pairing had become too similar and predictable late in games to win another championship.

Brown’s All-NBA season made him eligible for a two-year, $142 million extension. Paying both stars would have tied roughly 70% of the salary cap to two players in their 30s.

Brown and Tatum’s final encounter as teammates came at an afterparty in Paris on the eve of the trade. Brown chose to sit with Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony rather than join Tatum.

“I thought [Brown] felt awkward about something going on,” said Anthony. “He didn’t know what was going on at the time. I know JT was on the other side. I know Jaylen [wanted to speak with Jayson] but he didn’t know what to do. I just told him, ‘Why don’t you just go over there to JT?’

“He was like, ‘Man I don’t know where we are at. Do you mind if I just stay here?’ I was like, ‘Of course.'”

The Celtics did not keep Tatum informed during trade talks, consistent with the organization’s philosophy. Boston landed Paul George and two first-round picks in the deal.

Brown faces the Celtics for the first time Tuesday in Philadelphia.