Now that’s a blockbuster. The Jaylen Brown trade saga is finally over, and out of all teams, he’s headed to the Philadelphia 76ers in a deal centered around Paul George. There’s a lot to unpack here. Let’s start with the trade details before getting into grades and updated odds for both teams.
The Trade
Philadelphia 76ers receive: G/F Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics receive: G/F Paul George, 2028 first-round pick (best of Clippers/76ers), 2031 unprotected 76ers first-round pick, 2028 second-round pick, 2030 second-round pick
Philadelphia 76ers Grade: B
This is truly out of nowhere — and a lot of fun. After a surprise upset over the Boston Celtics in the first round, they ended up trading for Boston’s second-best player. Take a breath and process how INSANE it is for two longtime division rivals to make this kind of trade after a seven-game bloodbath.
For Philly, they turned 36-year-old Paul George into a 29-year-old All-NBA player who fits right into the lineup spot George vacated. George, who has played only 78 games over the past two years, averages 10 fewer points per game than Brown and is not nearly the defender he once was. Brown certainly took a step back defensively as he shouldered a ridiculous offensive load with Jayson Tatum sidelined. Still, with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid around to share the load, he has a bit more energy to expend on the defensive end of the floor.
By using picks instead of players, GM Mike Gansey makes a direct upgrade on their weakest starting lineup spot after adding Dean Wade to lock down the starting power forward spot. They maintain a decent bench with Adem Bona, Ariel Hukporti, Dominick Barlow, Justin Edwards, and rookie Labaron Philon. Philly still has roster spots to add backup guards and wings, and they have plenty of draft picks they can use to make deals. Before this trade, Philly owned all of its first-round picks through 2033, and has eight surplus second-round picks; if Gansey wants to keep pushing to upgrade the bench, the resources are at his disposal.
It’s still fair to wonder about the defense this team puts forth; Wade is the only plus-plus defender in the starting lineup, and it’s a heavy burden on VJ Edgecombe to be the top perimeter defender. Playmaking is also a bit of a problem, though Maxey’s ability to thrive off the ball and Jaylen’s elite isolation shot creation work in theory. The Sixers will boast one of the best offenses in the league when healthy and have made themselves much more dangerous next year.
Boston Celtics Grade: A-
This may sound crazy. Franchise legend, All-NBA player, and Finals MVP traded for a geriatric wing and picks? Do Celtics fans need to start a riot?
Here’s the thing: my trust in Brad Stevens is implicit. When he traded away fan favorite Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis, everyone wanted his head, and that core of players delivered a championship. Everyone assumed the team was dead in the water last season after trading Jrue Holiday and Porzingis, yet it won 56 games. Perhaps no GM in the league is better at making deals before they become necessary, and if Stevens wanted to get out of the Jaylen Brown business, he surely had his reasons.
Put aside the decade in green, the championship, the constant postseason success. Jaylen Brown was clearly upset at his position. Whether that was a product of relationships with the team/front office, or a problem of Brown’s own making, we will likely never know. But here’s the reality: Jaylen Brown was unhappy with the Celtics. Jaylen Brown also makes $57 million this season and is due $125 million in the two seasons after that. It’s a steep price for a player who is upset, approaching the end of his prime, and less valuable than Jayson Tatum. Even if Brown wasn’t making a stink on Instagram and his Twitch streams, it makes a lot of sense to move Brown before his contract becomes a serious issue for the team.
My guess is that Paul George is not long for the Celtics. Due $54 million this season, with a $56 million option he is sure to pick up next season, the 36-year-old isn’t a huge value add to Boston. Sure, he can still play some defense and knock down shots, but the Celtics are always on a quest to get younger. With Mitchell Robinson shoring up the center position and Payton Pritchard holding down the point guard spot, Boston has a ton of salary and a surplus of picks to use for wing upgrades. Can George be rerouted to New Orleans to complete a long-rumored Trey Murphy III deal? Would a deal with the Mavs for Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, and Naji Marshall make some sense? There are many routes Stevens can take here.
My grade certainly wouldn’t be an A if we go through the offseason without Boston finding ways to upgrade, but I trust Stevens to make those deals. It’s Jayson Tatum’s team, has always been Jayson Tatum’s team, and will continue to be Jayson Tatum’s team. If Jaylen Brown can be turned into two or three contributors to reload this team, they’ll get right back to their contending ways, and Boston fans will forget all about the heartache of seeing Brown in a Sixers uniform.
