The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics have reached an agreement on a blockbuster, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. The 76ers have acquired Jaylen Brown from the Celtics for Paul George and four draft picks.
Just in on @SportsCenter — Boston sends Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George and picks in a stunning blockbuster between East rivals: pic.twitter.com/rUmC0fXKNg
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026
76ers Get A Big-Time Scorer As Celtics Decide To Go In Different Direction
After two months of speculation and a failed attempt to send Brown to Milwaukee for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Celtics finally got their wish of ridding themselves of the 29-year-old. Brown now joins a 76ers team that is looking to take the next step with Joel Embiid.
Brown has been a consistent All-Star the past four seasons. But Brown really came up big this past season with Jayson Tatum sidelined for more than three-fourths of the season as he recovered from his Achilles. Brown, who finished sixth in MVP voting, averaged 28.7 points. 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists while shooting 47.7% from the field and 34.7% from deep. He also produced 14 double-doubles and three triple-doubles.
Brown is an excellent addition to the 76ers due to his two-way ability. Brown is a bucket-getter who had 35 games of at least 30 points and seven contests of 40 or more points. He tied his career-high of 50 points on January 3 against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Brown thrives in isolation, which should take late-clock pressure off Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe. While Brown’s ball-dominant tendencies are a concern, the Sixers won’t fall far defensively without George. Brown is an excellent defender who can guard four positions and fits Nick Nurse’s disruptive schemes like a glove. He has always been an active rebounder and has steadily improved his playmaking throughout his career.
Brown’s acquisition closes a very busy day for the 76ers. Before the blockbuster deal, the Sixers signed free agents Dean Wade and Ariel Hukporti. Wade inked a four-year, $39 million deal while Hukporti signed a one-year, $3.4 million pact.
With the three moves, Philadelphia added just $15.2 million to its ledger due to George’s huge contract. The 76ers now have 13 players under contract, including rookie Labaron Philon Jr, with a $195 million cap hit. The Sixers will likely attempt to stay below the tax line with their next move or two.
Brown has three years and $183.8 million left on his super max deal. He is eligible to sign a one-year contract extension starting at the end of the month.
Pretty clean swap of contracts
To Boston
Paul George
2026-27: $54.1M
2027-28: $56.6M (Player)* Extension eligible
To Philadelphia
Jaylen Brown
2026-27: $57M
2027-28: $61M
2028-29: $64.9M* Eligible to sign a 1 year extension on 7/26
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 1, 2026
76ers Trade Grade: B
In terms of financial minutiae, Philadelphia couldn’t do any better. The 76ers got the younger and better player while adding just under $3.0 million to their payroll. Plus, George was rarely available and made a huge mistake by testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. George appeared in only 79 games over the last two seasons and, compounded with Embiid’s injury history, didn’t make a good pairing.
The 76ers are sending a 2028 first-round pick, which could be converted to a swap more favorable to Boston. The Sixers also gave up a 2031 unprotected first-rounder, a 2028 second-rounder ( most favorable of Golden State/OKC/Milwaukee), and a 2030 second (most favorable of Washington/Portland/Philadelphia)
The 2028 pick Boston is getting, or swapping, with the Sixers is kind of complicated.
Boston could get Philadelphia’s pick if it lands 1-8. If that pick is 9-30 it’s gone from the Sixers in a complicated swap that involves multiple teams.
If the Philadelphia pick is 9-30, then…
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 1, 2026
Even with the trade, Philadelphia still has at least five future first-round picks (from 2027-2033). The 76ers also own at least 10 second-round selections.
Celtics Trade Grade: C-
Not sure what Brad Stevens was thinking with this deal, but Brown must have really irked the Celtics brass this season. The Celtics have had a ton of success since taking Brown with the third overall pick in 2016. Over the last decade, the Celtics posted the NBA-best record at 578-304 and made six Eastern Conference finals and two NBA Finals. Of course, the C’s won the 2024 NBA championship.
Boston saves at least $69 million over the next two seasons with the trade, as George has a player option next year, the final year of his deal. Moreover, Payton Pritchard is extension-eligible starting in September, and Derrick White, Sam Hauser, and Tatum are extension-eligible next summer.
George will start at small forward alongside Tatum and possibly Mitchell Robinson, who the Celtics took from New York earlier in the day. Like Brown, George is an outstanding scorer, though the 36-year-old primarily does his work from the perimeter. Despite his age, George is still an elite, versatile defender.
Boston’s roster appears set with 15 players under contract. The Celtics are close to the tax line, though they project to be slightly under it. The Celtics did increase their first-round draft capital to seven first-rounders and at least five second-round selections.
Photo Credit: Winslow Townson, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
