Just when you thought the NBA offseason couldn’t get any crazier, the Boston Celtics traded star Jalen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster deal. The deal dramatically reshapes the Eastern Conference, with the Celtics presumably taking a step back while the Sixers are taking the massive leap forward.
BLOCKBUSTER: The Boston Celtics have agreed to trade Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/xNcNlIV2mh
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026
The Celtics painted themselves into a corner by shopping Brown earlier this offseason in a potential deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Unfortunately for Boston, they struck out on that trade and, in doing so, alienated Brown.
Now, for the first time in eight years, Brown will be playing for another team. Surprisingly enough, he’ll be playing for the Sixers, who stunned the Celtics in the playoffs. But which team won the trade? Let’s grade the trade!
The Sixers land Jaylen Brown in stunning Celtics trade
Not only did the Sixers land the best player in the trade, they also got off of one of the worst contracts in the league. Turning Paul George’s contract, which will pay him $110.7 million over the next two seasons, into positive value is nothing short of miraculous.
Sure, it also cost them two first-round picks and two seconds, but that’s a no-brainer, all things considered. Suddenly the 76ers now look like legit contenders, with them having star Tyrese Maxey, promising lottery prospect VJ Edgecombe, Brown, and Joel Embiid.
Embiid is more of an afterthought with him constantly in and out of the lineup, but Maxey and Brown will now be the Sixers’ one-two punch. Having Embiid as a third option is the perfect scenario for the 76ers, who can rely on him less. However, they will still have him to help push them over the top.
The big question is whether the 76ers are as good as their rivals, the New York Knicks. I’d still give the Knicks the benefit of the doubt, but Philly doesn’t seem to be that far behind now.
Trade Grade-A+
The Celtics stun the NBA by trading Jaylen Brown
Frankly, I don’t get this trade for the Celtics. After all, they traded Brown, who helped lead them to five Eastern Conference Finals and a championship, to a rival.
Somewhere Bill Simmons is inconsolable. Sure, they got two firsts and two seconds, but they also got George, who is still a good player when healthy but on an awful deal.
This seems like a deal that a team makes when a star forces their way out. Brown clearly didn’t want to be in Boston any longer, but it’s hard to believe another team didn’t swoop in and trade for Brown.