Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens shockingly traded All-NBA guard Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday for Paul George and draft picks.
In exchange for the 29-year-old Brown, Boston received an oft-injured veteran who’s seven years older, two first-round picks (2028 and 2031), and two second-round picks (2028 and 2030).
Brad Stevens’ Jaylen Brown Trade Draws Harsh Reviews From Rival NBA Executives
Stevens shipped Brown to a team that beat the Celtics 4-3 in the first round of the 2026 playoffs after holding a 3-1 series lead. The decision sparked strong reactions from rival GMs.
Stevens quickly became one of the best executives in the NBA after taking over from Danny Ainge in 2021. In his first year as the team’s top executive, the Celtics reached the 2022 NBA Finals, losing in six games to the Golden State Warriors. Two years later, Boston won the title after beating the Dallas Mavericks 4-1.
The former Celtics coach is the 2025-26 Executive of the Year, making him a two-time winner of the award. He traded some members of the 2024 championship team to get below the luxury tax. Despite the major moves, he still kept the team in championship contention.
Boston played well above expectations this past season because of Brown, who earned MVP shouts. After showing he could be the Celtics’ No. 1 option, Stevens traded him for a former All-Star who has played 78 games over the past two seasons.
The trade earned harsh reviews from another NBA GM, according to basketball analyst Jeff Goodman. “This was highway robbery. I have no idea what Brad Stevens was thinking. The Celtics will be lucky to get in the play-in next year,” Goodman shared on Wednesday.
One NBA GM to @TheFieldOf68 on the Jaylen Brown trade:
“This was highway robbery. I have no idea what Brad Stevens was thinking. The Celtics will be lucky to get in the play-in next year.”
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) July 1, 2026
Another GM also opened up to Goodman about the trade: “It says everything about JB’s trade value right now.”
Another GM to @TheFieldOf68 on the Jaylen Brown trade:
“It says everything about JB’s trade value right now.” https://t.co/ugOteTzEGK
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) July 2, 2026
NBA insider Brett Siegel had a more damning response to the shocking trade:
“If the Luka Doncic trade is the worst ever made, this Jaylen Brown one by Boston is easily the second worst. This makes absolutely no sense.”
If the Luka Doncic trade is the worst ever made, this Jaylen Brown one by Boston is easily the second worst.
This makes absolutely no sense.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) July 1, 2026
Celtics players, past and present, often say they trust Stevens. Well, that sentiment will be put to the test after back-to-back whiffs to improve the team.
Stevens initially wanted to send Brown to Milwaukee for Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, the executive balked at sending one potentially emerging star, reportedly Hugo Gonzalez or Baylor Scheierman, along with two first-round picks.
KEEP READING: BREAKING: Celtics Trade Jaylen Brown to East Rival in Exchange for 9-Time NBA All-Star, Draft Pick
When the Bucks turned down Boston and accepted the Miami Heat’s offer, Stevens kept shopping Brown for a trade. He reportedly wanted four first-round picks as a baseline in negotiations.
When Stevens couldn’t get his projected value for Brown, he sent the All-NBA guard to Philly for George and a less-than-desired haul of picks.
Some analysts are predicting Stevens to make another move before next year’s trade deadline or two seasons further down the road. However, that decision is uncertain, prompting rival GMs to question Stevens’ biggest roster move as the Celtics’ president.
