There are two reasons that Paul George is a better fit next to Jayson Tatum than Jaylen Brown was. One is his skill set. The other is accepting his role.
It needs to be said that Brown spent his career sacrificing. For nearly a decade, he wondered what it would be like if he had more offensive responsibility. He probably reached a point where he thought that opportunity would never come.
The way it did, with Tatum tearing his Achilles, was truly horrific. But if you're searching for positives, like how it strengthened Tatum, it also brought Brown peace of mind. He finished sixth in the MVP voting, started in the All-Star Game for the first time in his career, and earned an All-NBA Second Team selection. He led a group that won 56 games and finished second in the Eastern Conference in the regular season.
However, Brown's in his prime. George is at a different stage in his career. As he said at his introductory press conference at the Auerbach Center, "We have a superstar, and that's JT. I'm not here to -- not necessarily steal the shine or try to reinvent who I am," expressed George. "I'm here to help JT, and he's the guy." At 36, it's easier for him to accept being Robin to Tatum's Batman.
Why Paul George is a better fit next to Jayson Tatum than Jaylen Brown
It is a topic that this author and Hardwood Houdini have spilled countless digital ink on. It's garnered exploration in the offseason and since the start of the new campaign.
Brown is a better overall player in 2026. However, George is a cleaner fit alongside Tatum. He does more to accentuate the star forward's game.
George is a better three-point shooter. That creates more spacing and gives Boston's four-time All-NBA First Team selection a more reliable kick-out option.
The former is also a turnover-suppressor. He's not as good an isolation scorer as Brown, but he's less likely to get stripped. The nine-time All-Star is also a more skilled passer.
Paul George is here to elevate Jayson Tatum
Any friction that could come from two players believing they're the best on the team or wanting more put on their plate doesn't exist in the dynamic between Boston's new tandem.
Again, Brown and Tatum co-authored one of the most successful eras in Celtics history. That includes raising Banner 18 to the TD Garden rafters. However, it was time for a new chapter.
George is focused on elevating the six-time All-Star. He isn't just hitting the right notes when talking to the media. He's making it a point to try to facilitate easy baskets for the former Duke Blue Devil. There are also examples, like on the first play of Boston's 125-111 win over the Chicago Bulls, of passes one wasn't used to seeing Brown make to Tatum.
According to NBA.com, George is making 11.0 passes per game to the St. Louis native. He's averaging an assist per contest to Tatum. That's in 21.4 minutes of floor time together. In 2024-25, Brown averaged 5.3 passes and 0.5 assists to the other half of the Celtics' star duo, per NBA.com. They played 25.2 minutes together that year. George is more capable and more determined to get Tatum easier baskets.
We'll see what this new tandem accomplishes in the playoffs. However, the process and the results don't always align. It was evident when Boston made this stunning, blockbuster trade that it found a cleaner fit alongside Tatum. With the Celtics switching to a one-star approach, George's acceptance of his role and his skill set make him a more complementary option next to Tatum.
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