Paul George is exactly what Boston needs to win it all… in 2017.
Less than two weeks ago, the Boston Celtics were finalists to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, with Jaylen Brown serving as the centerpiece of a potential offer. Now, Celtics fans are struggling to understand how a player like Brown could go from being valued highly enough to land one of the greatest players of all time, to suddenly being treated as a salary dump for an injury-prone 36-year-old.
Despite being dangled in trade rumors throughout much of his career, Brown remained committed to both the Celtics organization and the city of Boston. However, unlike years past, the front office felt as if their relationship with Brown was irreparable. Coming off the best individual season of his career, Boston finally pulled the trigger, trading their beloved superstar to the division-rival Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George, two future first-round picks and two future seconds.
Not only did the Celtics trade Brown to the very team that ended their season, but they did so in exchange for a player the Sixers have reportedly been trying to move for months. While many reports suggest that the deal was made purely to cut costs, that explanation doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. George is still owed $54.1 million in 2026-27 and holds a $56.6 million player option for 2027-28, leaving Boston with virtually the same financial burden, so why make the move?
It’s hard to imagine the Sixers rescinding their offer towards the start of the season, so why not wait and continue to canvas the league for other deals? Why were they in such a rush to get rid of the 29-year-old superstar, entering the apex of his career?
Damaged Goods?
Is the League Out On Jaylen Brown?
During his tenure in Boston, Brown consistently exceeded expectations, shattering every ceiling fans and front offices believed he had. He’s dedicated just as much time in the community as he does on the court, truly immersing himself within the city of Boston. Despite those efforts, Brown has remained one of the NBA’s most polarizing stars, frequently making headlines not for his play on the court, but because of his outspoken views.
Some prominent figures in sports media have suggested that Brown’s intellect and willingness to speak his mind created friction behind the scenes. Both ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Fox Sports’ Colin Coward have been on record stating that Brown is disliked by many, so much so that the Celtics needed to part ways.
To make matters worse, the lack of public support from Brown’s former teammates has only added fuel to the fire, specifically the silence of co-star Jayson Tatum.
The duo had been together 9 seasons, winning a total of 405 games, making the Conference Finals 5 times, the NBA Finals twice and even winning a championship in 2024.
Though their personalities have never quite meshed off the court, the two complemented each other well on the floor. Brown thrived attacking downhill and in transition, while Tatum operated more comfortably on the perimeter, creating a natural balance in their offensive games. The two have established a mutual respect and admiration for one another, making it hard to understand Tatum’s silence throughout the entire process.
Following a disappointing Game 7 loss to the Sixers, Brown reflected on the season with pride:
“I’m so proud of this group and the way we played. I wish we trusted that style of play a little bit more, but I know the playoffs kind of shifted our rotations and what we wanted to do. But I’m so proud, and it was my favorite year of my basketball career.”
– Jaylen Brown, FCHWPO Twitch Stream
The comments quickly sparked speculation, with some fans suggesting that Tatum’s absence allowed Brown to flourish as a true No. 1 option, officially entering the MVP discussion.
As rumors circulated, tensions grew surrounding the Celtics’ superstars, with many speculating that the relationship between Brown and Tatum had taken a turn for the worse, damaging the team’s chemistry as a result.
With that being said, there have been just as many reports painting Brown as one of the team’s unquestioned leaders, praising his role in developing the Celtics’ younger talent and shaping the team’s culture and identity within the locker room.
In spite of all the reporting, Celtics fans are still left wondering what exactly went wrong, and if a deal had to be made, why did the team have to settle for this one?
A New Era of Celtics Basketball
What Does This Move Mean for the Celtics Moving Forward?
Brown has been one of the league’s most durable stars, routinely answering the call and producing at an elite level. Last season, he posted career-highs across the board, further cementing himself as one of the league’s premier two-way players. Meanwhile, George has played in more than 60 games just once since 2019.
On paper, George may end up being a better fit for the Celtics and their style of play, but given his age, contract and overall injury history, it’s very likely that George doesn’t play more than 30 games in a Celtics uniform. Is that really enough to justify moving one of the city’s most beloved superstars?
Let’s assume the Celtics were always concerned about Brown’s long-term fit alongside Tatum, why make this move now? If the organization had already decided its championship window had closed, wouldn’t it have made more sense to trade him last year, lose as many games as possible, and position yourselves for the future?
Imagine a world where Boston sent Brown (and potentially Payton Pritchard), to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Fred VanVleet, Tari Eason, Reed Sheppard and two future first-round picks.
Not only would that deal give the Celtics some much needed cap relief and compelling, young assets moving forward, but most importantly, it could’ve landed them a top pick in this year’s draft, improving their odds of acquiring Boston native AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick.
A deal like this would allow the Celtics to contend for a championship today, while giving them a new franchise cornerstone and some much needed flexibility to build for the future. Instead, the franchise chose an entirely different path, dealing the former Finals MVP for a superstar well past his prime and a few middle schoolers. Celtics fans have every right to be upset, but Sixers fans should take the time to rejoice.
Not only does the team have a championship foundation for tomorrow, but they have a proven veteran superstar and former MVP in Joel Embiid. Adding Brown—fresh off the best individual season of his career—would instantly elevate the Sixers as legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference and potential favorites to win it all.
| Player | Season | PTS | REB | AST | FG% |
| LeBron James | 2009-10 | 29.7 | 7.3 | 8.6 | 50.3 |
| Kevin Durant | 2013-14 | 32.0 | 7.4 | 5.5 | 50.3 |
| Kevin Durant | 2015-16 | 28.2 | 8.2 | 5.0 | 50.4 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 2023-24 | 30.4 | 11.5 | 6.5 | 61.1 |
| Luka Dončić | 2023-24 | 33.9 | 9.2 | 9.8 | 48.7 |
| Nikola Jokić | 2024-25 | 29.6 | 12.7 | 10.2 | 57.6 |
| Jaylen Brown | 2025-26 | 28.7 | 6.9 | 5.1 | 47.7 |
With great coaching, tons of talent along the perimeter, amazing rim threats and a solid defensive frontcourt, the 76ers are just a few small moves away from winning it all. Ironically enough, the same could be said for the Celtics.
Despite his age, George isn’t too far removed from one of the best seasons of his career in 2024. During his final season with Los Angeles, George had career-highs in shooting both from the field and beyond the arc, putting up 22.6 PPG in under 16 shot attempts. Although his defensive upside may not be as high as Brown’s, he is still one of the more steady defenders in the league, assuming he’s healthy enough to do so
If that isn’t enough, the Celtics have just the right amount of draft capital to facilitate a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans for Trey Murphy III, adding another bona fide shooter to their roster. Not only is Murphy elite from beyond the arc, but he is brimming with superstar potential and is under contract long-term.
As fans, we often spend too much time dwelling on what was and what could have been. Both teams, as constructed, can compete now, and because of the deal, they’re positioned fairly well for the future too. But in Boston’s case, the question still remains: why?
Are they truly better off without Jaylen Brown, or has private equity and the franchise’s new ownership sacrificed the team’s championship core for a new yacht? Only time will tell, but Brown’s legacy in Boston will live on forever.
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