Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown is once again challenging conventional thinking about the business of basketball.
During a recent interview, Brown revealed that he entered the 2016 NBA Draft without hiring a traditional agent, instead relying on the resources provided by the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).
Brown said the decision came down to one thing: the numbers.
“When I entered the draft, I didn’t have an agent. I’m probably the highest-picked selection ever that didn’t enter with an agent.”
After meeting with several agents during the pre-draft process, Brown said he wasn’t convinced their services justified the long-term cost.
“A lot of the agents came and was like, ‘Yeah, we’ll move you to L.A. We’ll get you a trainer, put some money in your pocket.’… They was like, ‘Standard agent fee is 4%.’ I’m starting to do the math… Long story short, the math wasn’t mathing for me.”
Brown ultimately remained without an agent and was selected No. 3 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics.
According to Brown, the unconventional choice may have led to criticism behind the scenes.
“I think because I came in like that, a lot of people… tried to slander my name a little bit, put it in the media that he’s too this, he’s too that. Ended up backfiring. It all worked out in the end.”
Leaning on the Players’ Union
Rather than paying an agent, Brown says he relied on services already available through the NBPA, which is funded by dues paid by NBA players.
He explained that those resources extend well beyond labor negotiations.
“We all pay like $10,000 out of our salary that goes to hiring lawyers, hiring staff… Once I learned that, I just started using it.”
Brown said the union can assist players with legal matters, financial advisor referrals, foundation work, health insurance, and even private investigations when necessary.
“I’m talking about you can get private investigations done. They give referrals for financial advisors… Whatever you need, they have a liaison that’s paid to make sure that you get it done.”
A Broader Conversation
Brown’s comments come just days after he criticized the traditional player-agent model, claiming that many NBA players struggle financially after retirement despite earning millions during their careers.
His latest remarks further reinforce his belief that players should better understand the resources already available to them and make informed financial decisions instead of automatically following established industry practices.
While Brown’s path won’t be the right fit for every prospect, his experience offers a reminder that there is more than one way to navigate the business side of professional basketball.
