In a seismic trade that will surely alter the Eastern Conference landscape for years to come, the Boston Celtics have traded former NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the rival Philadelphia 76ers.
The NBA world was stunned by this move, as Philadelphia hadn’t been mentioned as a suitor for Brown in recent trade rumors. Now, the 76ers become instant contenders, while the Celtics usher in a new era.
Celtics Trade MVP Candidate Jaylen Brown To 76ers In Shocking Deal
According to ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania, the Celtics agreed to trade Brown to the 76ers for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks.
The full details of the trade compensation, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, are as follows: the 2028 first-round pick could convert from a first to a swap that is more favorable to Boston. Plus, the 2031 first is an unprotected first-round pick. Furthermore, the 2028 second-round pick is the most favorable of Golden State, Milwaukee, and OKC. Plus, the 2030 second-rounder is the most favorable of Washington, Portland, and Phoenix.
The Celtics were extremely motivated to move Brown, offering him to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Once they lost out on that sweepstakes to the Miami Heat, they continued shopping the star, who finished sixth in NBA MVP voting last season. While the initial reaction was that Boston should have gotten more in return for Brown, the Celtics’ front office clearly feels this is a worthwhile pivot, getting back draft capital and a nine-time All-Star (albeit one who is significantly older and injury-prone).
MORE: Grade the Jaylen Brown Trade: Who Won the Blockbuster Deal Between the Celtics and 76ers?
The package is bound to raise eyebrows throughout the league, and the Celtics have faced immediate criticism for the comparatively slim compensation they received for Brown, who carried the Celtics on his back during a career year, leading them to a 56-win season with Jayson Tatum sidelined for a large chunk of the season as he recovered from his Achilles injury. Brown now joins a loaded Sixers team that is an immediate contender in the Eastern Conference, with Brown, Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, and Joel Embiid forming a Big 4.
As for the Celtics, they receive the 36-year-old George, who is coming off two of the least productive years of his career in Philadelphia, averaging 17.3 points over 37 games last season and 16.2 points over 41 games the year before. For this trade to be successful for Boston, they will need George to stay healthy and return to form. However, it seems the true motivation for Boston was accumulating draft picks and getting out of Brown’s contract.
Boston did receive good free-agency news earlier in the day after the Celtics stole title-winning center Mitchell Robinson from the New York Knicks to boost their frontcourt significantly, while also signing veteran guard Mike Conley Jr.
The Eastern Conference is shaping up to be fascinatingly different during the 2026-27 NBA season, it will be interesting to see how Boston and Philly fare after this blockbuster.
