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After all, Jaylen Brown is being traded by the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers reportedly agreed to send Brown to the Sixers in exchange for veteran All-Star Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks, according to ESPN.
Trade rumors heated up earlier this offseason as Brown was already at the center of a potential trade with the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo before the Miami Heat landed “The Greek Freak.” Since then, the Celtics have reportedly stepped up efforts to get a deal done involving Brown.
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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and guard Jaylen Brown (7) celebrate with the Larry O’Brian Trophy after beating the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals to win the NBA championship at TD Garden. (Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports)
Brown was named the Finals MVP just two years ago, helping Boston secure another NBA title for their major trophy case. But the Celtics were reportedly close to getting something done, actively trading the dynamic 6-foot-6 guard to 8-10 teams across the NBA.
“The Celtics have actually started to shop Jaylen Brown heavily, drawing offers from a market of about eight to 10 teams over the last few days,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said on “First Take” Wednesday morning. “It is unclear whether an agreement is close or where they necessarily stand, but there has been a high price limit.”
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Charania added that it was his “understanding” that Brown never requested a trade, making this a move the Celtics wanted to make.
They do so with an Eastern Conference rival getting a huge boost on an intriguing roster that could have their own “Big Four” locked in now.
Brown arrives in Philly with former league MVP Joel Embiid, All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey and 2025-26 All-Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe already in place. All four players have an ability to score regardless of the situation and will certainly be a problem for the defense next season.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa., on April 30, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)
Brown is in the middle of his five-year, $285.39 million extension he signed with the Celtics, with a cap hit of $57.08 million for the 2026-27 season.
While Brown has been a five-time All-Star during his 10 years in Boston, including four straight since the 2022-23 campaign, there has been some controversy surrounding him this offseason.
Brown said this past season was his “favorite year” despite holding a 3-1 first-round lead to the 76ers in the NBA Playoffs. It was a comment that didn’t sit well with some, including ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, and his public thoughts on the matter ultimately led to a back-and-forth feud between the two.
It’s unknown if that has anything to do with the Celtics wanting to move on from Brown, but his inclusion in the failed trade with the Bucks for Antetokounmpo showed how willing they were to move up the roster.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown is on the court before game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on May 2, 2026. (Winslow Townson/Imagn Images)
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Boston has been active before the trade, signing New York Knicks backup center Mitchell Robinson to a four-year deal that bolsters their frontcourt. Robinson likely falls into the Celtics’ starting 5 right now, which includes Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Sam Hauser and maybe Payton Pritchard at point guard.
For the 76ers, they add more firepower with a player in Brown who is coming off a career year with 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game to lead the Celtics.
