NBA Analyst Explains Uncertainty Behind Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Being First Option

Jaylen Brown has the opportunity to be the first option for the Boston Celtics going into the 2025-26 NBA season. However, one analyst has hesitance to view him in that light.

Brown will be the Celtics’ best player to start next season as Jayson Tatum rehabs from a torn Achilles. He suffered the injury during Game 4 of the East Semifinals series against the New York Knicks, which Boston lost in six games.

Tatum will be out for at least a majority of the campaign, making Brown the de facto leader of the Celtics’ offense. The latter has served as the second option behind Tatum as the duo figured it out together by winning the 2024 NBA title.

NBA analyst Tim Bontemps appeared on a June 26 edition of ESPN’s First Take, giving his thoughts on the Celtics’ outlook with Brown as the first option. Even though he won East Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP in 2024, Bontemps expressed uncertainty towards his ability to do it on a consistent basis.

“Jaylen Brown won Conference Finals MVP and Finals MVP last year. I don’t know if he’s a No. 1 option on a championship team because there’s only a handful of guys in the league that can do that,” Bontemps said.

“Jaylen Brown won Conference Finals MVP and Finals MVP last year. I don’t know if he’s a No. 1 option on a championship team because there’s only a handful of guys in the league that can do that.”

– Tim Bontemps

(via @FirstTake)pic.twitter.com/I1AYEjaRhu

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 26, 2025

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What’s Next For Jaylen Brown, Celtics

GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 14: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics runs on court during player introductions prior to Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at TD Garden on May 14, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

It is a fair point for Tim Bontemps to bring up about Jaylen Brown being the first option for the Celtics to start next season.

This past season saw Brown average 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game after 63 appearances. He shot 46.3% from the field, including 32.4% from beyond the arc, and 76.4% from the free-throw line.

With Tatum out, it would be Brown’s first real opportunity to show he can deliver as the best player on a team with championship aspirations. However, the Celtics have plenty of questions to address as they progress through the offseason.

For starters, they won’t be returning with the same squad that won them the title in 2024. Boston traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers and Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks. In return, they got Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang and several second-round picks.

It’s a major sign that the Celtics are not done making moves this summer. They acquired numerous second-round picks during the 2025 NBA Draft, having a plan to use them for future drafts or include them in potential trade packages.

The 2025-26 season will be unique for Boston. Whether or not it results in a championship, it is clear that the Celtics are preparing themselves for a different period of the Tatum-Brown era.