After 10 years, Jaylen Brown’s time with the Boston Celtics has reportedly come to an end.
The Celtics traded Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday in exchange for Paul George, two first-round draft picks, and two second-rounders. The NBA world erupted with stunned reactions to the blockbuster, mostly criticizing Boston for failing to find a better deal for the 2024 NBA Finals MVP.
NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics insider Chris Forsberg was among those flabbergasted by the shocking trade. Shortly after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Brown was headed to Philly, Forsberg shared his reaction on Early Edition.
“I’ve been doing this a long time now, and very rarely — maybe the Kyrie Irving trade — there are very few that just kind of knocked me on my backside, and this is one of them,” Forsberg said. “I like to give the Celtics front office the benefit of the doubt, and I’ll be very interested to hear their explanation for this trade.
“I’m very curious if there’s anything else lingering, but if this is the trade package for Jaylen Brown, it is almost incomprehensible to me. You solve none of your money issues, you don’t get better on the court. I’m just left to wonder what the relationship status with Jaylen Brown was that delivered you to this point where you would make this trade. Maybe there’s more to it than we know to this point, but on the surface, it’s kind of hard to wrap your head around this trade.”
The Celtics’ salary cap situation remains virtually unchanged following the deal. George, who turned 36 in May, has a trade bonus that increases his $54.1 million salary to $57.7 million.
As for Philadelphia, it now boasts a scary projected starting lineup of Tyrese Maxey, Brown, VJ Edgecombe, Dean Wade, and Joel Embiid.
“You just made the team that eliminated you in seven games, that won three straight against you (to win the first-round playoff series), you just made them better,” Early Edition host Tom Giles said. I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around it. I understand the future draft capital … curious to see what the Celtics do with that draft capital if they elect to hang on to it or if they move that because they’re not done making moves in this situation.”
The Brown trade finished off an active day for Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens. Earlier on Wednesday, the Celtics signed free agents Mike Conley and Mitchell Robinson.
Brown, who will turn 30 in October, was drafted by the Celtics with the third overall pick in 2016 out of Cal. The five-time All-Star signed a four-year, $115 million contract extension before the 2019-20 season, and he signed a supermax extension in 2023, worth up to $303.7 million over five years — an NBA record when it was signed.
A two-time All-NBA Second Team selection (2023 and 2026), Brown ends his Celtics career ranked 10th on the franchise’s all-time scoring list with 13,474 points and seventh in postseason scoring.
