Where do the Boston Celtics go from here? One of the smartest organizations in sports just made one of the most confounding trades in recent history. They seemingly felt determined to trade Jaylen Brown. However, the return for a five-time All-Star coming off a campaign in which he finished sixth in the MVP voting does not make them better. At least not yet.
On his way to Boston is Paul George. Yes, he shined against his new team in this year's playoffs. However, he's 36 and struggles to stay on the floor. Furthermore, since a gruesome leg injury early in his career, he has typically struggled to meet the moment in the postseason. He's also arriving on one of the worst contracts in the Association. The 16-year veteran is on the books for $114.3 million over the next two seasons. That includes a $56.6 million player option for 2027-28.
The Celtics will carefully manage George's minutes in hopes of getting the most out of him. The six-time All-NBA selection just showed them what he's capable of with fresh legs. That came on the heels of a 25-game suspension. They'll have to be more strategic to duplicate his two-way impact in the first round of the playoffs.
Given his skill set, George will fit in well, albeit on a bloated contract. However, the most valuable part of the return for Brown is the draft capital coming to Boston.
That's what sets the stage for the follow-up act that could prove the most important step towards the Celtics' next championship.
Who do the Celtics target with their new draft assets?
In a stunning trade with a franchise nemesis, Boston will also receive a 2028 first-round selection that could convert into a pick swap that is more favorable to the local club.
For full clarity, here are the various options for the 2028 swap/pick the Celtics got in the trade with the Sixers:
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 2, 2026
1. If LAC is 1-16 AND PHI is 1-8, then BOS gets the best of LAC/PHI/[lesser of BOS (top-1 protected)/SAS]
2. If LAC is 1-16 and PHI is 9-30, then BOS gets the…
That represents the pick the Celtics are receiving that has the most potential value. They also acquired a 2031 unprotected first-round selection from the Philadelphia 76ers and two future second-round picks.
One option is to act immediately. Boston could pivot to a trade for Trey Murphy III. At 25, the New Orleans Pelicans have a burgeoning wing with All-Star potential. He's young enough to remain with a team embarking on a youth movement. However, it does appear that, for several first-round picks, they would part with him.
That doesn't mean Brad Stevens will emerge with the winning bid. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, he might not even be trying to pry him from the Pelicans at all.
Discussing the mega deal involving Jaylen Brown and Paul George along with LeBron James' approach to this free agency for The Association on @NBATV: pic.twitter.com/1eZsNGcLYw
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 2, 2026
However, along with leaving room for fluidity and a change of heart, this could be a negotiating tactic by the Celtics. While the wing position is the deepest one on their depth chart, Murphy could join Derrick White in the backcourt. He would help with this team's mission to get more athletic while also adding another three-point threat.
What if the Celtics are done making major moves this offseason?
That might be the case. The current roster, after adding George, Mitchell Robinson, and Mike Conley, might account for their most significant additions before the 2026-27 campaign.
If true, the message is clear: Boston is keeping its powder dry to make a run at a star.
Could Anthony Edwards ask out of Minnesota in a year? It's hard to believe Nikola Jokic would go from wanting to be a Denver Nugget for life to demanding a trade. Will the Thunder part with Jalen Williams because of how expensive their roster is about to become?
Maybe it's someone we aren't discussing right now. Superstars change teams more frequently in the NBA than in any other league. Armed with a boatload of draft capital and ample young talent, Brad Stevens has the ammunition to be on the right side of the Association's next blockbuster.
However, if that's the end-game, it requires equal parts patience and risk. The Celtics would be playing with a year of Jayson Tatum's prime. And they'd be doing so without concrete evidence of a future payoff. It's a gamble that could blow up in their face.
That's also strong enough motivation to either act now for a player like Murphy or pay as steep a price as they need to find a new championship-caliber co-star for Tatum.
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