The Jaylen Brown and Paul George trade sent shockwaves across the league. The Boston Celtics shipped their star guard within the Atlantic Division to the Philadelphia 76ers for the nine-time All-Star along with two first-round picks (2028 and 2031) and two second-round picks (2028 and 2030).
Many felt the Celtics got the short end of the stick and criticized their decision to trade away their five-time All-Star for a 36-year-old veteran coming off a turbulent campaign that included a 25-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy. However, NBA champion PJ Tucker isn’t buying this narrative.
PJ Tucker Believes Celtics Won the Paul George-Jaylen Brown Trade
Last season, Brown averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game across 71 appearances while shooting 47.7% from the field and 34.7% from 3-point range. This stellar stat line earned the 29-year-old his fifth career NBA All-Star nod and he finished sixth in NBA MVP voting.
On the other hand, George’s 2025-26 season was marred by injuries and a high-profile suspension. In 37 games, he averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 43.9% from the floor and 39.2% from deep.
On the latest episode of the “Club 520 Podcast” live from Fanatics Fest, Tucker appeared alongside Jeff Teague, DJ Wells, and B Hen, and he broke down why he believes the Celtics came out on top in the Brown-George trade.
When Wells argued that Philly won the trade by putting Brown alongside Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, and Joel Embiid, Tucker pointed to the Celtics-76ers series in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
PJ Tucker on who won the trade between Boston and Philly for Jaylen Brown:
“If you look at the playoffs series this year. PG might have had a better series than JB. So how does Philly win? I think it’s tough. I’m rocking with PG. Like, I’m hating how everybody I mean, respect to… pic.twitter.com/aeFLJjgOky
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) July 20, 2026
”You think who won in that trade?… If you look at the playoff series this year… PG might have had a better series than JB… So how does Philly win?” Tucker argued. “I mean, respect to JB, but… I’m rocking with PG. If PG didn’t get suspended and all that stuff didn’t happen, then I think you have another conversation.”
Talking about Boston’s new tandem of Jayson Tatum and George, Tucker added, “I can’t wait for them. Hopefully, they make it to the Christmas game… I’m still liking JT and PG in a series. I like the Celtics, bro.”
After Teague stated that Brown will be Philadelphia’s No. 1 option next year, Tucker pushed back and argued that he will be the third option after Embiid and Maxey.
“They got Embiid already, they already got Maxey…” Tucker said. “You lowkey third [option] now. If Embiid comes in healthy, he’s the No. 1 option for the Philadelphia 76ers. There’s no question about it… I’m telling you that right now.”
It remains to be seen if the Celtics’ decision to trade Brown for George and draft capital was a masterstroke or a massive gamble. Only time will tell whether the Celtics’ front office made the right call.
