The Boston Celtics traded their best player to the team that just ended their season in the first round—in exchange for the oldest, most expensive player the Sixers employ.
Philadelphia 76ers Receive:
- F Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics Receive:
- F Paul George
- 2028 first round pick
- 2031 first round pick
- Two 2nd round picks
What did the Celtics just do?…
The list of reasons why the Celtics were ready to move on from elongated Donovan Mitchell, who rushed to an online stream following the team blowing a 3-1 lead in the first round, monologuing like the main character narrating the lives of the NPCs around him—a list longer than the reasons why Jayson Tatum should’ve bought 82 outfits to wear on the sidelines, rooting for Jaylen instead of daydreaming of his heroic return, saving Brown and his widdle teammates.
Jaylen’s expensive, owed $57 million next year, $61 million the year after and $64 million after that, the most expensive contract in NBA history at its signing—and the Celtics are now owned by private equity, cutting costs, reducing staff and stifling workers’ wages is all PE knows.
But why is he on the Sixers?
Sending the best player on the team to a division rival they battle 4 times a year is a choice. If the Knicks trade Jalen Brunson to Indiana tonight, I may not see the morning. Old Man Paul off that ketamine and 2 first round picks the Sixers had sitting in the ashtray for the finals MVP a season ago. Ok.
Boston and Philly have faced off in 4 playoff series since they drafted Tatum. If Boston intends on winning more championships in the Tatum era, they’ll have to get through Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecomb, and Jaylen brown (and sometimes Joel Embiid).
Brad Stevens just reinforced their opponent’s castle.
Portland, Houston, Minnesota, Los Angeles—just feels like Brad Stevens either did his friend a solid, after a decade of working together, growing up together, sending Jaylen to an instant Eastern Conference contender he can grow with for the remainder of his career—OR Brad Stevens is ass and would sign Enes Kanter a third time if he didn’t change his number for Fox News bookings only.
Let’s do grades I guess
Sixers grade: A+
They flipped Paul George, the addict, for Jaylen Brown, fresh off the best season of his career.
The Sixers biggest flaw, for years, player availability. Jaylen Brown heals that wound—playing every night, as many minutes coach demands—perfect for Nick Thibs.
Joel Embiid, the ultimate mystery box—now an afterthought. Sixers fans escape the purgatory of Joel Embiid game-time decisions.
If anyone is concerned about the “basketball fit,” just watch Paul George from the last two seasons and replace him with a way better player.
I see no problems.
Jaylen isn’t much of a playmaker, only gathering assists when he cannot beat his defender off the dribble, reluctantly deciding to pass. But the Sixers need more guys who can get from the top of the key to the free throw line. Brown was 6th in the NBA last season in free throw attempts with 7.5 a game. Paul George shot 3 free throws a game. Jaylen can force a defense to swallow him in the paint, pause, opening up cutting lanes or open threes for VJ and Tyrese.
It’s good when your team acquires good players.
Celtics grade: F
If the goal was saving money and roster flexibility, that shit failed. Nothing flexible about an expensive, old, injury-prone crackhead and some picks at the end of the first round, in a few years. George is owed $54 million this year with a $56 million player option for next season. Barring a magical, fantastical NBA Finals run, I don’t get the feeling Paul George, at age 37 next summer, plans on opting out of that $56 million to take a major pay cut for a team-friendly deal.
I’m not convinced the Celtics will even be good next season.
Tatum rushed back from a torn Achilles and didn’t even finish the playoffs without bowing out because his leg hurt.
It would be insane for me to assume he’s just a first-team All-NBA guy again—capable of imitating the MVP caliber campaign Jaylen brown just completed.
Derrick White regressed last season, 39% shooting from the field and 32% from 3.
Mitchell Robinson, their big free agent signing—isn’t much of an innings eater, oft-injured, or on minutes restrictions.
“Roster flexibility” and depth are cool, until starters suffer injuries and that depth is now playing major minutes.
Shout out to my beloved Knicks, knocking the Celtics into a tailspin to the bottom of the standings.
They knocked some Paul George into them.
If you enjoyed what you read, head over to our Substack. We’ve got more content making fun of the ridiculous world we live in, sent directly to your email inbox daily.
Follow us over on TikTok, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Or shoot me an email at [email protected]. Let’s chat, bay-beeeee.
