The Boston Celtics have reportedly reached an agreement to trade Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers. In return, the Celtics are set to acquire Paul George, along with two first-round draft picks and two second-round draft picks.
According to reports, the 76ers will receive Brown, while the Celtics will gain George, a 2028 first-round pick, and a 2031 first-round pick from Philadelphia. Additionally, Boston will receive a 2028 second-round pick (the best of those owned by GSW/OKC/MIL) and a 2030 second-round pick (the best of those owned by WAS/POR/PHX).
This move marks a significant shift for both franchises. Brown, who was named the NBA Finals MVP in 2024 after the Celtics secured the championship, had an All-NBA season last year. He achieved career-high averages of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. He also led the Celtics to a 56-26 season, earning them the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Brown’s tenure in Boston concludes
The trade brings an end to Brown’s time in Boston, where he became a prominent player. He finished sixth in MVP voting this past season and is considered one of the franchise’s notable players. Last month, the Celtics reportedly pursued a trade for Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, with Brown being a central part of their offer. However, Antetokounmpo was ultimately traded to the Heat.
Brad Stevens, the president of basketball operations, had previously addressed questions about Brown’s future with the team, stating that he would not predict what would happen next season. Stevens emphasized Brown’s value to the team, describing him as an “amazing teammate” and a “great person to be around.”
League sources indicated that trade discussions involving Brown continued in the days following the NBA Draft, suggesting a deal was likely. One source mentioned that Brown, who led the Celtics to 56 wins last season while Jayson Tatum was sidelined for much of the year due to an Achilles injury, had become frustrated with the Celtics’ approach and was seeking a resolution.
George joins fifth NBA team
George, a nine-time All-Star, averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists last season during his second year in Philadelphia. He is set to begin his 17th season in 2026-27 and will join his fifth NBA team with this move. George, who is 36 years old, has two years remaining on his current contract.
He is scheduled to earn $54.1 million next season and has a $56.6 million player option for the 2027-28 season. Last season, George contributed to the seventh-seeded 76ers’ upset victory over the second-seeded Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.
Brown, on the other hand, was eligible to sign a two-year, $72 million extension this fall. In July 2023, he signed a five-year, $303.7 million super-max extension, which was the largest in NBA history at the time. This historic amount was largely due to Brown being the first player eligible for a super-max deal as the league’s revenue growth led to a significant increase in the salary cap.
The Celtics’ roster saw changes after failing to repeat as champions, with players like Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet departing due to the salary cap’s second apron. Despite Tatum’s injury, the team achieved a 56-win season with Brown leading, and he finished sixth in MVP voting.
However, with Tatum’s return, the Celtics were considered favorites to win the Eastern Conference but faced a setback in a first-round playoff series against the 76ers. Boston became the first team in franchise history to lose a 3-1 series lead, leading to an uncertain offseason.
Brown had previously stated on an online video platform that the past season was his favorite of his career, which generated discussion. He later clarified that he was proud of how he and the Celtics performed during a long regular season where they faced skepticism.
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Source: nba.com
