The Boston Celtics tried to trade Jaylen Brown to Milwaukee for Giannis Antetokounmpo before sending him to Philadelphia without granting his request for input on the destination.

According to Kris Rhim of ESPN, Brown discovered during a monthlong vacation across China, Africa and Europe that Boston had attempted to move him for Antetokounmpo. The deal never happened, but the Celtics subsequently informed Brown that he would be traded anyway.

A source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN there was no truth to reports that Brown had requested a trade. Instead, Brown wanted to have a say in where he would go or, at minimum, receive advance notice of the destination.

Boston ignored that request and informed Brown of his move to Philadelphia only after finalizing the deal. The report also contradicts comments from Celtics analyst Brian Scalabrine about Brown’s alleged demands and trade request. Scalabrine later walked back his comments.

Brown publicly expressed frustration with how the Celtics handled the situation. After learning about the trade, he said he felt a “lack of respect” and criticized how general manager Brad Stevens “facilitated some of the conversations.”

“There was definitely a message being sent, and that message was received,” Brown said. “I just wish the more to it could have been explained to me.”

Stevens later explained that Boston decided to trade Brown because his and Jayson Tatum’s massive contracts made it difficult to build a sustained contender. He also said he had not kept Tatum informed about the trade discussions.

Brown and Tatum spent nine seasons together in Boston, reaching the NBA Finals twice and winning the 2024 championship. Their partnership ended with Brown’s departure, and the relationship has become increasingly strained.

The tension intensified in October when Brown responded with a “cap” emoji to Tatum’s claim that he had been just as surprised by the trade as everyone else. Brown subsequently said there was no beef, describing the situation as “lamb chops and some gravy.”

There is no indication that the former teammates plan to speak before their first regular-season meeting as opponents on Tuesday. Asked Sunday whether they had spoken since the trade, Brown answered, “Nope.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. I mean, he’s on his side, I’m on my side,” Brown said. “Both of us are trying to win, so it’s nothing to talk about. Just check the ball up.”

Brown has meanwhile settled into a different role with Philadelphia, where Tyrese Maxey has emerged as the team’s leading scorer. Brown has embraced that dynamic, saying, “This is his team.”

The 76ers enter Tuesday’s matchup at 9-2 after beating Chicago 127-121, with Brown scoring 29 points and Maxey adding 27.

Boston is 8-2 after a 117-97 victory over Milwaukee, setting up an important early-season Eastern Conference matchup.