Paul George joins the Boston Celtics in a tough spot. He was shipped to Boston as part of the trade that sent 10-year Celtic Jaylen Brown to the rival Philadelphia 76ers. Most fans initially rejected the deal when it was first reported.
“How could the Celtics get that little in return for Jaylen Brown?”
The question echoing around the fanbase was a fair one. After two underwhelming years as a Sixer (though, you bet your bottom dollar he came to play in the playoffs against Boston), George and his remaining $113 million owed over the next two seasons (player option in 2027-28) was thought to be on one of the worst contracts in the league.
If most new players join the team with a 5-10 score on the “how much do fans love me?” scale, George has to be starting at a “2” due to the circumstances of his arrival.
Nonetheless, the 36-year-old wing is ready to get his Celtics tenure underway. George was featured on the team’s latest installment of Beneath the Banners, along with the team’s other offseason acquisitions Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley.
The short-form behind-the-scenes look focused on all three players’ first days at the Auerbach Center in Boston.
George brought his family to see his new workplace and meet with Celtics president Brad Stevens. His message to the fans was simple, and exactly what they’d want to hear.
“I’m gonna give y’all everything,” he told the camera. “It’s surreal. I’m ecstatic. I’m looking forward to the journey. I’m looking forward to wearing that green and representing for Boston.”
The narrative on the Paul George trade may shift this season
Now, this is a very “well, what else do you expect him to say?” type of quote, but it’s still great to hear that the nine-time NBA All-Star is looking forward to the next (and perhaps final) chapter of his pro career with the Cs.
In the six weeks since the initial news broke, a contingent of the fanbase has dove deep on George’s potential fit in Boston. You don’t have to look hard to find someone who will tell you that the advanced numbers favor him as a complementary piece alongside Jayson Tatum.
He’s a plus defender. He is a great shooter off the catch. He can still create his own shots in small doses. It’d be naive to think that we’ll all be looking back on the Brown for George swap and talking about how well Boston made out in the deal because of George, but there is a chance that the narrative shifts away from it being a completely fleecing of the Celtics.
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