In a stunning move, the Boston Celtics traded star wing Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for veteran Paul George, a 2028 first-round pick (which could convert to a swap), a 2031 unprotected Philadelphia first-round pick, and two second-round picks (2028, 2030).
The 76ers, who knocked the Celtics out of the playoffs earlier this year, are trying to make a run and are reportedly in the mix to acquire LeBron James.
Despite the excitement, the newest 76er still doesn’t seem sure what to make of his new environment.
Former Celtics Star Jaylen Brown Has a ‘Weird’ Feeling With 76ers
Brown is coming off a season in which he averaged 28.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game while shooting 47.7% from the field, 34.7% from 3-point range, and 79.5% from the free throw line. He finished sixth in NBA MVP voting.
Despite fellow superstar Jayson Tatum being sidelined for most of the season, the Celtics earned the No. 2 seed in the East and raced out to a 3-1 lead in their first-round series against the 76ers. The 76ers, however, won the next three games, including a decisive Game 7 in which Tatum didn’t play.
Afterward, Brown described this season as the most fun he’s had, which raised a few red flags considering the Celtics won a championship in 2024 (with Brown winning Finals MVP) and were regulars in the Conference Finals.
Brown was then dangled in trade talks with the Milwaukee Bucks as Boston attempted to land Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Milwaukee ultimately shipped the two-time NBA MVP to the Miami Heat instead.
According to some analytics, the Celtics were actually better with Brown off the court. The trade was a surprise and Brown’s name has been dragged through the mud in the days since the deal went down.
Brown was asked how weird it would be to face the Celtics in Boston, and he said it would be “weird,” while also admitting it still feels odd to be a Sixer.
“I got no idea what it’s going to feel like,” Brown said. “It’s probably going to feel a little weird. It’s still weird now. My brain is like, Philly? Of all places… like why you would do that?”
Jaylen Brown’s reaction to the trade:
“It’s weird. My brain is like, Philly? Of all places… like why would you do that” 😬
(via @CelticsGRD) pic.twitter.com/HADYD9EV52
— Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) July 7, 2026
It’s easy to see why Brown feels that way.
Not only did the 76ers eliminate the Celtics last season, but they have long been one of the Celtics’ biggest rivals. On his livestream immediately after the trade, Brown admitted that it will take some time for him to adjust from hating the 76ers to playing for them.
MORE: LeBron James Sends 6-Word Message Defending Jaylen Brown, Igniting Rumors of Potential 76ers Team-Up
“For the last 10 years, I’ve been programmed to hate Philadelphia,” he said. “From the history of the rivalry to the playoff battles, I’ve been programmed to be like, ‘[expletive] the process.’ Now I gotta reverse engineer, that’s the part that’s going to take some time.”
There’s no denying that seeing Brown step onto the parquet floor as an opponent is going to be “weird,” but all eyes will be on Brown to see how he performs in the revenge game against his former team.
