It all started to go south when word leaked that the Boston Celtics were willing to trade Jaylen Brown if it meant landing Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Boston’s package ended up not being enough to get a deal done, but the toothpaste was now out of the tube. Brown didn’t feel wanted, that relationship was irreparably damaged. Boston was scrambling to find another trade for Brown. Except, it was finding the market lukewarm, especially considering how well Brown played the season before, finishing sixth in MVP voting (Brown’s massive contract, with three years and $183 million left on it, was concerning teams in the Apron era).
It led to an unexpected blockbuster deal.
Boston is trading Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks, a trade first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN and since confirmed by other sources. The details on the picks are a 2028 first-rounder that can convert to a swap if that’s more favorable to Boston, and an unprotected 2031 Philadelphia first-rounder.
Boston trading Brown, at the peak of his powers, to a division rival is stunning. That Boston got a smaller return for Brown at his peak than the Clippers just got for 35-year-old Kawhi Leonard is something Brad Stevens has to answer for. It speaks to how bad the relationship between Brown and the Celtics had gotten that they had to take this offer rather than bring him back in the fall.
This trade is a big win for Philadelphia’s new head of basketball operations, Mike Gansey.
Philadelphia has been dreaming of getting out from under the Paul George contract, who, at age 36, is owed $54.1 million this coming season and includes a player option for $56.6 million for next season (which he likely picks up). It’s not only the money (Brown is owed more), it’s the value on what is being paid out. George, 36, played in only 37 games last season — he missed 25 due to a suspension for violating the league’s drug policy — and has had lingering injury issues. George was considered to be on one of the worst contracts in the NBA.
When healthy, George is still a good, high-IQ player, but not the elite force he was in his prime. Last season, in the 37 games he played, George averaged 17.3 points a game, although he did shoot 39.2% from 3-point range. George and Jayson Tatum form a quality forward combination, and they have talent around them, including the just-picked-up Mitchell Robinson at the five. But Brown and Tatum won a title together, and this feels like a step back from the 2024 championship squad. On paper, it’s tough to see this team beating New York or Detroit (or maybe Indiana or Philly) in a seven-game playoff series.
Philadelphia replaces George with Brown, who averaged a career-best 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game while playing high-level defense last season leading Boston to the No. 2 seed in the East.
The 76ers now roll out a starting lineup that includes Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Brown, and if they get anything from Joel Embiid, they are a threat to win the East.
Philadelphia will enter the season as a legitimate threat to win the East — that is the definition of winning a trade.
