On July 6, 2026, Jaylen Brown was officially traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George, two future first-round picks and two future second-round picks.
The 2024 Finals MVP spent his first 10 seasons as a member of the Celtics after being selected third overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. His tenure in Boston ends with him averaging 20 points per game, shooting 47.8% from the field, making five All-Star appearances and made the All-NBA Second Team twice.
However, his last season in green was his best. With Jayson Tatum out indefinitely, Brown stepped up as the true number one option and scored 28.7 points per game while leading the Celtics to the number two seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite the great regular season, the Celtics blew a 3-1 lead to the Sixers in the first round of the playoffs for one of the earliest playoff exits of Brown’s career.
It was clear a rift was beginning to form between Brown and the organization, so Celtics General Manager Brad Stevens pulled the trigger on a trade with Boston’s rival.
So, what’s next for both parties involved?
For the Sixers it’s clear, “Trust the Process” and win now. Philly signed LeBron James to a two-year contract a few weeks after acquiring Brown. They also signed Dean Wade, Anfrenee Simons and two-time NBA Champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to bolster their rotation. Add those names in with the returning core of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe, and you have one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
Expectations will be high in The City of Brotherly Love, and Brown will be right in the center of attention. His chemistry with Embiid and James, two players he has previously clashed with for various reasons, will be tested by the Philly crowds who will let you know how they feel about your performance. Add the extra amount of nationally televised games the Sixers will be playing; the spotlight might be as bright as ever for Brown.
His relationship with Tatum was questioned for years before finally being dealt to the Sixers. His relationship with the city of Philadelphia will be something to monitor as the season goes on. Brown still has three years remaining on the supermax contract he signed in the summer of 2023.
Boston’s next steps are a little less straightforward. They get a fully healthy season out of Tatum and return four starters, but can George fill the gap left by Brown’s 28 PPG last season? The 18-time champions’ only other big move was signing Mitchell Robinson in free agency. The big man got paid after being a key factor in the Knicks’ championship run last season.
George scored 17.3 points per game in just 37 games for the 76ers last season. He was suspended 25 games for taking performance-enhancing drugs. He averaged over 20 points for nine straight seasons with the Pacers, Thunder and Clippers. The veteran will be the second option behind Tatum.
They will no doubt contend in the Eastern Conference, but the gap left by Brown may be too much for them to compete with the Knicks and Sixers, among others. Eyes could be pointed at Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla as well. Despite the championship two years ago, the Celtics have exited early for the past two seasons, including the blown 3-1 lead last playoffs.
We have seen coaches like Mike Malone and Frank Vogel be fired just two seasons after coaching their team to a championship. Could Mazzulla suffer a similar fate?
Whatever happens this season, both teams will face each other at least four times during the regular season and could face off in the playoffs for one of the most entertaining and storyline-filled series we’ve had in a long time.
