​The Boston Celtics and Jaylen Brown are no longer teammates. After weeks of speculation, Brown, the 2024 Finals MVP, has been traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, a move that surprised a lot of fans. To make sense of the deal, here’s the breakdown:
Philadelphia enters with a stronger core, adding Brown to join Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey and creating a formidable trio (though Embiid’s health remains a question). The Sixers also acquired veteran forward Paul George, along with 2028 and 2031 first-round picks and two additional seconds in 2028 and 2030. In return, Boston shed George’s contract, which would exceed $110 million over the next two seasons. While Brown’s outside shooting isn’t elite, his all-around game and durability offer a fit next to Maxey and Embiid, giving Philly a notable upgrade. Overall, this move is viewed as a meaningful step forward for Philadelphia. Grade: A.
For Boston, the move is multi-layered. They part with their best player but gain a floor-spacer who fits their system and add draft equity. George, at 36, comes with potential health concerns, but when he’s on the court, his shooting aligns with Boston’s approach, producing about 39.2% on 3s last season on roughly seven attempts per game. That shooting profile suits coach Joe Mazzulla’s system, even if there are questions about whether this is where Boston wanted to be two years after a title. The Celtics still remain competitive and could redirect future assets to chase additional immediate help, though the market for Brown appears limited. Overall, the move makes sense from an on-court perspective. Grade: B.