The Boston Celtics will quickly regret trading away Jaylen Brown as Paul George struggles to stay healthy, and the former Celtic helps the rival Philadelphia 76ers become serious title contenders. This trade played a key role in LeBron James joining the Sixers. That alone is reason to regret this deal, but it will only get worse from here.
Brown is motivated after Boston gave up on him. Nobody thought the Celtics would break up the Js like this, including the 76ers general manager. Things were far from perfect, but Boston won the championship in 2024 with Brown winning Finals MVP. The Celtics traded away one of the 20 best players in the world for less than a superstar return.
Creating a contender in your division is one mistake, but choosing Paul George as the marquee part of the return is another. PG was viewed as having one of the worst contracts in the NBA before this deal. The Sixers were rumored to be willing to attach a first-round draft pick to dump George’s contract before they got Brown. Philly clearly knew something, and the Celtics will soon find out.
Celtics will quickly regret Jaylen Brown trade thanks to Paul George
PG played just 37 games last season, but part of the missed time was a 25-game suspension. Still, the nine-time All-Star has appeared in more than 56 games just once since 2020. He averages just 48.7 contests per season over the last seven years. That is a lengthy injury history on a 36-year-old with tons of miles.
PG is set to make $54.1 million this season and has a $56.5 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign. The Celtics may try to trade his expiring contract next summer, but they are firmly on the hook this season.
Boston acquired George, two first-round draft picks, and two second-rounders for Brown. The Celtics can’t expect more than 60 games from PG this season. The trade lowered their ceiling and floor for this season, while also creating more future work for Brad Stevens. Now, he needs to figure out how to build a championship roster around Jayson Tatum without a way of getting more value from Brown.
Boston let the 76ers create the most talented starting five in the NBA. Trading for Brown helped sway LeBron James to come to Philadelphia on a minimum contract. The Sixers now have Jaylen and King James flanking Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe. That alone should have the Celtics second-guessing this trade.
Expect Philly to vault up the standings as Boston stagnates. They won’t know when PG will be available, and Derrick White struggled as the number two option with Tatum out to start last season. The Celtics can’t expect a massive leap from White with Brown on the 76ers. Boston has work to do to build a serious title contender around Tatum, which will only add a bit more regret to this trade.
Brad Stevens clearly felt like he had to trade Brown. After the Giannis Antetokounmpo talks broke down, the Celtics quickly pivoted to making whatever move was on the table. That was a regrettable decision. Boston should have waited and maximized the asset. Instead, they took a massive risk and will quickly regret it. If LeBron joining a divisional rival wasn’t enough, it will only get worse from here.
The Boston Celtics foolishly traded Jaylen Brown without maximizing his value. That can ruin things for any contender, and often brings regret. Boston fans may already be feeling it, and the Celtics will soon face the brunt. This was just bad business, and that never works out.
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