Jaylen Brown's departure from the Boston Celtics won't just impact the team offensively and defensively on the court, it also will force other players to step up and take on more of a leadership role.
Jayson Tatum, as the team's best player and face of the franchise, is shouldering more of a leadership responsibility entering the 2026-27 NBA season.
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“From the outside looking in, I always thought (Tatum) was one of the best players in the league. Getting to know him now, he’s a guy I feel like is really coming into his own as a leader," Celtics guard Mike Conley Jr. told reporters Wednesday.
"A guy that’s ready to make a jump. I think after the last couple years with the injury, he has a lot to prove, and he’s out there trying to prove it. I'm excited for him and his growth throughout the time I'm around him. I'm going to try to help him as best I can."
Conley provided some specific examples of Tatum stepping up as a leader.
“In L.A. he called everyone and said let's go work out, let's go meet, let's spend about seven or eight days out there and go golf, go out to eat," Conley said. "He's setting up all kinds of things off the court.
"He's bringing in huddles after practices and every workout we have, he has something to say, calling guys out and just really taking ownership of the situation. I think that's big.”
Conley is about to enter his 20th season. He and Kevin Durant are the only players from the 2007 NBA Draft who are still playing.
The 39-year-old guard isn't a starter-level player anymore, but he remains one of the most respected veterans in the league and a great locker room presence. His experience and wisdom should help Tatum and many other Celtics players improve as leaders this season.
