Brad Stevens/Bill Chisholm press conference notes

Opening

• Brad talked with Jaylen in early June about his future. Told him if they ever traded him it would be a sad day for Boston

• From a basketball perspective, there are a lot of different angles we have to look at

• The path to contending looked more challenging with 70% of our cap tied to 2 players

• Would not have made a move unless the right opportunity came up

• Despite the media being loud, he iterates that most of it is false and built his reputation on being close to the vest

• "We like Paul............ he's a really good player"

• Views the 2 frps as premium assets. See the 2 srps as sweetener

Brad Q/A

• Asked about Pauls contract. Reiterates the picks they got and talks about how Pauls contract is shorter. Talks about optionality.
• Asked why he made the move now. Says you can never predict the future. Also says if the new CBA rules were not grandfathered in that they may not be here right now discussing the trade.
• Says that these are not decisions you rush, says he has lost sleep and it is hard to trade him to Philly and how they have to make the best deal regardless of the trade partner.
• Says Jayson Tatum had no input on this decision.
• Talks about the importance of depth and says you can't judge a teams success on just 1 player
• Says the relationship was not irreparable despite trading him. Hopes they can sit down one day and reconcile.
• Iterates that it was a really hard call and admits it ultimately might not be the right call.
• Asked about Pauls role in Boston. "Paul George is a good player AND we got draft assets." Acknowledges that they are different players.
• Asked about Jaylens stream. Apologizes if Jaylen believes that talks took a left turn.
• Asked by a media member if there is something the media/fans are missing in this deal. Brad reiterates that this decision was very difficult. Says analytics are only a small piece of information to him.
• Asked about the rumors going public. Brad says he doesn't know how much of that is avoidable. Says that several teams rumored to be interested never actually called.
• Asked if dangling Jaylen in trade talks hurt the franchises reputation. Brad iterates its important to be upfront. Hopes Jaylen will firstly remember the good times. Bill backs Brad and steps in to say something along the line that the team must be run well to keep continuity.
• There wasn't one single thing/piece that prompted this move and they spent a lot of time on this.
• Brad speaks on the optionality: Paul Georges contract is shorter and they got draft assets.
• Not gonna discuss other teams offer, believes they took the best offer for the team.
• Asked about how this move maximizes Jayson Tatum: Hopes Jayson will grow more and will make those around him even better.
• Doesn't want to talk about the proposed Giannis deal. Says that Pauls shorter contract will give them optionality in keeping more of their young pieces going forward.

Bill

• Asked if this decision came down from ownership to reduce the cap. Bill denies this and reiterates his faith in Brad and the Front Office and insists they will spend whatever it takes to win.
• Admits that when he bought the team, he didn't anticipate trading Jaylen so soon.
• Asked about the Celtics losing players due to salary reasons. Expressed the realness of the 2nd apron. This move was less about the money and more about the contract length and the draft assets. Says they are ready to make a big move when it comes available.

Both are asked about building the team moving forward. Brad says there is no mandate to duck the tax or any aprons, and that their mandate is to win. Says if they see something that will make them better, they will do that.