The Boston Celtics have traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George, continuing one of the most turbulent offseasons in recent NBA memory just a day after Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard all changed teams.
The deal
Philadelphia sends George and four draft picks to Boston: a 2028 first-round pick that can convert into a more favorable swap, an unprotected 2031 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick (the most favorable of Golden State, Oklahoma City or Milwaukee’s), and a 2030 second-rounder (the most favorable of Washington, Portland or Phoenix’s). In return, the Celtics send Brown to Philadelphia.
The money attached to both players is significant. George is owed $54.1 million this season with a $56.6 million player option for 2027-28. Brown’s deal runs longer and larger: $57 million this season, $61 million next year and $64.9 million in 2028-29.
Why Boston moved on from Brown
The trade comes right after the Celtics missed out on Antetokounmpo, who instead landed with Miami. With Jayson Tatum sidelined for most of this past season recovering from Achilles surgery, Brown had stepped into the lead role and delivered career highs across the board, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Rather than build the post-Tatum-recovery era around Brown’s next max extension, Boston chose to reset with draft capital and a proven two-way wing in George.
George’s own production has slipped since he arrived in Philadelphia. Across his two injury-hit seasons with the 76ers, he appeared in just 78 games total and averaged 16.7 points and 5.3 rebounds, a steep drop from his peak years with the Clippers and Thunder.
What it means for both teams
For Philadelphia, adding a 28-year-old averaging nearly 29 points a game gives Joel Embiid and the 76ers a second engine to build around immediately, without waiting on a rebuild. For Boston, the return of two firsts and two seconds gives the front office real flexibility to retool around Tatum once he is healthy, even if it means taking a step back in the short term.
The trade adds to what is already one of the most active offseasons the league has seen in years. See our full rundown of the trades that opened the 2026 NBA offseason for more on how the rest of the league has been reshaped.
Official reporting on the trade is available via NBA.com. More NBA coverage at Playbook Wire.
