Celtics and 76ers Agree to Major Trade
The Boston Celtics have reportedly reached an agreement to trade Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers. In return, the Celtics are set to acquire Paul George, along with two first-round draft picks and two second-round draft picks. This significant transaction marks a notable shift for both Eastern Conference teams, as confirmed by multiple league sources.
The trade package for the Celtics includes the 2028 first-round pick and the 2031 first-round pick, which originated from Philadelphia. Additionally, Boston will receive a 2028 second-round pick, identified as the best among those held by Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, or Milwaukee Bucks. A 2030 second-round pick, the best from Washington Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers, or Phoenix Suns, is also part of the deal.
This move concludes Brown’s tenure in Boston, where he was a central figure for the team. He was recognized as the NBA Finals MVP after the Celtics secured the 2024 NBA championship. Last season, Brown achieved career-high averages of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, earning an All-NBA selection. He also finished sixth in MVP voting during the past season.
Impact on Both Teams
Brown’s contributions were instrumental in the Celtics’ performance, leading them to a 56-26 season and securing the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. His departure means he will now join one of Boston’s significant rivals, the 76ers.
For the 76ers, they will gain a five-time All-Star in Brown. Meanwhile, the Celtics will welcome Paul George, a nine-time All-Star. George averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists last season during his second year in Philadelphia. This trade will see George join his fifth NBA team as he prepares for his 17th season in 2026-27.
George has two years remaining on his current contract. He is set to earn $54.1 million next season and holds a $56.6 million player option for the 2027-28 season. Last season, George played a key role in helping the seventh-seeded 76ers overcome a 3-1 series deficit to upset the second-seeded Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.
Previous Discussions and Player Status
Reports indicate that the Celtics had been actively engaged in trade discussions involving Brown. Last month, the team reportedly pursued a trade for Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, with Brown being a central component of their offer. However, Antetokounmpo was ultimately traded to the Heat in a package centered on young players and draft picks.
Following the first round of the recent NBA Draft, Brad Stevens, the president of basketball operations for the Celtics, addressed questions regarding Brown’s future with the team. Stevens consistently refrained from confirming Brown’s presence with the Celtics for the upcoming season, stating, “Jaylen Brown is a big part of us. I’m never going to predict the future. Every indication, everything that I think about over the past few years has been building around those guys, right? Obviously, you never know. But at the same time, I think the one thing that I want to make very clear is how valued he’s always been. He’s been amazing. He’s been an amazing teammate. Great person to be around. Whether that run ends 10 years from now when he retires or before, there’s a lot to celebrate. We have a great relationship and an open relationship where we talk about everything. But I don’t want to predict the future. I look at it as this is our team.”
League sources later indicated that trade discussions involving Brown continued, suggesting that a deal was becoming inevitable. One source mentioned that Brown, who led the Celtics to 56 wins during a season where Jayson Tatum was sidelined for much of the year due to an Achilles injury, had become frustrated with the Celtics’ approach and was seeking a resolution.
Brown was eligible to sign a two-year, $72 million extension this fall. This trade represents the latest significant move by Stevens since he took on his current role in 2021, following Danny Ainge’s departure. Previous notable actions include the 2023 trade of Marcus Smart, which brought in center Kristaps Porzingis.
This blockbuster trade was reported on July 1, 2026.
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Source: nba.com
