Austin Rivers Denounces Jaylen Brown Smear Campaign After 76ers Trade, Drawing Support From 10+ NBA Voices
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 7
Austin Rivers Denounces Jaylen Brown Smear Campaign After 76ers Trade, Drawing Support From 10+ NBA Voices
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 7
Summary
Austin Rivers blasted what he called a smear campaign against Jaylen Brown after Boston traded him to Philadelphia, arguing anonymous character attacks were used to justify moving a franchise cornerstone.
Weeks of sourced criticism had questioned Brown’s intelligence, locker-room presence and fit with Jayson Tatum, while Brad Stevens said Brown’s supermax deal had to be moved for financial flexibility.
Rivers rejected that rationale, noting Orlando gave up four first-round picks plus two players for Desmond Bane while Boston ultimately accepted Paul George and two first-rounders for Brown.
Brown reposted Rivers’ message, and players including Bradley Beal, Michael Porter Jr., Richard Jefferson, Isiah Thomas, Isaiah Thomas, J.R. Smith and Kendrick Perkins publicly backed the call to name sources.
The backlash has widened beyond one trade, underscoring growing player frustration with anonymous reporting and character narratives used around NBA roster moves.