Jaylen Brown trade grades for 76ers, Celtics blockbuster as Boston sells low on superstar

The Boston Celtics offered Jaylen Brown to the Milwaukee Bucks in their trade proposal for Giannis Antetokounmpo. When Milwaukee chose the Miami Heat’s offer instead, the Celtics started aggressively shopping Brown around the league even though he never asked the franchise for a trade. On Wednesday, Boston traded Brown to an Eastern Conference rival in a stunning deal.

The Philadelphia 76ers acquired Brown for Paul George, a 2031 unprotected first-round draft pick, a 2028 first-round draft pick that could convert to a swap that is more favorable to Boston, and two second round picks, according to Shams Charania. The Sixers weren’t included on our initial list of Brown trade candidates because it was hard to believe Boston would trade him to the team that just knocked them out of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. It really happened.

The Sixers are now in position to compete for the Eastern Conference title if Joel Embiid can stay healthy. The Celtics are taking a step back now to take a step forward later. Let’s grade this trade for both sides.

The Celtics were reportedly asking teams for four first-round picks back for Brown. They settled for a lot less in this package from Philly.

Brown is about to turn 30 years old, and he’s coming off the best season of his career where he earned Second-Team All-NBA honors. He led the Celtics to 56 wins as Jayson Tatum recovered from a torn Achilles, and called it the most satisfying year of his career despite being named 2024 NBA Finals MVP as he helped the Celtics to a championship. Brown never asked out. So, why did the Celtics trade him for what feels like a disappointing package?

The Celtics decided they couldn’t keep the status quo after being eliminated in the first-round of the 2026 playoffs by the Sixers. Brown is owed a ton of money with three years and more than $180 million remaining on his deal. Boston wanted to clear payroll, and they clearly thought this was the time to deal Brown coming off such a productive season.

It’s a stunning decision. Brown and Tatum led the Celtics to the 2024 championship. Why not give them one more year with Tatum back for a full season? Obviously, Brad Stevens didn’t think Boston was good enough to win a championship as presently constructed, and he decided to blow it up. This would make more sense to me if Boston got a better trade package back. Instead, this return is highly underwhelming.

Paul George has two years, $110 million remaining on his deal. His play has fallen off hard the last couple seasons, and it’s hard to envision him matching Brown’s production. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Celtics looked to flip him, too. The 2031 first-round pick is a nice trade chip. Boston will probably try to include that in an offer for a superstar within the next few years. For now, the Celtics are likely to take a step back as other Eastern Conference contenders rise.

Brown is a polarizing player. I called him one of the worst contracts in the league coming into last season. The Celtics were better with him off the floor last season. Still, Brown is one of the most durable and productive stars in the league. He’s really good even if he probably isn’t worth his max contract. This is a really courageous trade for Brad Stevens. I want to like it, but I just don’t think the value coming back is good enough.

Grade: C+

I can’t believe the Celtics pulled this off. New lead executive Mike Gansey is swinging for the fences out of the gate, and he acquired a star in his prime that could push Philly to the top of the Eastern Conference.

Brown joins Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe on the perimeter. Embiid is still in the middle, and the Sixers signed Dean Wade to be their new power forward in free agency. Add in rookie Labaron Philon, forwards Justin Edwards and Dominick Barlow, and center Adem Bona, and the Sixers believe they have an outline of a title team. I think this bench is super weak, and that’s a bad sign because the latest NBA champions have relied quite a bit on depth. There’s still time for the Sixers to make more moves, of course.

This starting five is as good as any in the league on paper. The game isn’t played on paper. It will be fascinating to see how Brown’s game mixes with Maxey’s. Embiid’s health hangs over the whole team, and it’s hard to think he can last for an entire playoff run. Still, the Sixers gave themselves a championship ceiling with this move, and the price wasn’t that high to get it. The biggest risk Philly is taking on is Brown’s contract. I think it’s worth it. The Sixers can push the Knicks and Raptors in the East next season. It’s time for Philly to finally make a deep playoff run.

Grade: A-