A new era has begun in Boston.
The Jaylen Brown transaction sending him to the division rival Philadelphia for Paul George, two firsts and two seconds came out of nowhere Wednesday night. The immediate reaction of Boston fans was disappointment; it felt like a lackluster package for a franchise icon in his prime coming off of an MVP level season. Meanwhile, Philly has put together a fantastic Big 4, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they are true contenders.
Celtics Grade – D-
It’s tough. Although a trade felt imminent due to the rift forming between Brown and the front office, Paul George? Really? An aging wing with a rough injury history? Sure, he absolutely balled out against us in the playoffs, but when there is the thought of keeping the Jays together, why not? Could the Celtics have gone for a different wing that got traded this week like Kawhi Leonard? I have many questions.
On paper, Paul George does fit the live and die by the 3 mentalities of the Celtics. Entering year 17, he has averaged a career 38% from 3. He can guard up, but he hasn’t been able to get to the rim like he used to in Indiana. He used to be a Bonafide star but now has a negative reputation league wide; I imagined you would have to attach a first round pick to even move off of his horrific 56-million-dollar contract with a player option after next season. By that logic, the Celtics only obtained one FRP for Brown.
Despite this, the swap in 2028 is actually more valuable than fans have made it out to be. Keith Smith broke it down perfectly on X, linked here. There’s a decent shot that it could pan out, given the Clippers are undertaking a total youth movement. They might be one of the bottom teams out west, despite not owning their pick and trying to at least make the play in. With the new lottery rules though, who knows.
Is this it?
To be completely honest, I don’t think Brad Stevens is done. The Trey Murphy smoke feels real, and I feel either PG or White will be shipped to the Big Easy for the young scorer. If this was to happen, I’d love the new Big 3 in Boston with Tatum, Murphy and whichever player you decide to keep. Personally, PG feels like the correct choice, but both players don’t change the Pelicans’ dire situation they have found themselves in.
Celtics Lead put out an intriguing trade scenario sending Devin Booker to Boston for PG and picks which garnered some attention on X. I have to immediately shut down a Book trade due to his seemingly unwavering allegiance to Phoenix, and the number swap this summer only solidified that fact. But to segway off the trade, adding a lead guard next to Tatum feels more significant than an elite center. Initially, my dream trade for Brown was a sign-and-trade with Detroit for Jalen Duren. Adding a young center coming off of a 3rd Team All-NBA and an already fleshed out offensive game feels like the logical conclusion to the Brown saga. This would also give Cade Cunningham the perfect co-star; Detroit desperately needs another player to take over scoring duties. Guards that felt available to trade for were Jamal Murray, Ja Morant or even a combo deal with Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. But no, we got Paul George.
The benefit of the George contract is getting him off your books in two years. He would be insane not to take the player option in ’28 as a 38-year-old. This is significant because Payton Pritchard will be a free agent once PG is a free agent, allowing us to hand him as much money as he deserves. To me, Pritchard is a solid 22-25m AAV type of player, and the Celtics are confident he will take a jump without Brown taking shot attempts away from him.
Are the Sixers contenders?
The bench is simply too weak to solidify Philly as a true contender. I did love the Dean Wade contract and finalizes a terrifying starting 5, but that means nothing when you have guys like Dominick Barlow and Justin Edwards coming off the bench. They have more low tier bench players than quality, which is a recipe for disaster, especially with the horrible health history of Joel Embiid.
My other qualm is the overwhelming amount of ball handlers. Edgecombe and Wade are solid off ball, but Maxey, Embiid and Brown thrive with it in their hands. Then coming off the bench you have Philon from Alabama (steal of the draft) and new signee Anfernee Simons who, like Edgecombe, can catch and shoot on the perimeter, are also solid passers. Philon is an elite playmaker, and it made total sense for Philly to take him when they did, but I question the fit in Philadelphia.
Celtics moving forward
As much as I had my issues with JB’s playstyle at points, it’s going to be difficult to watch games without him. He’s all I’ve ever known as a Celtics fan and will greatly miss seeing Brown suit up in the Kelly green. But the relationship had reached his end, and considering the lack of acknowledgement from Tatum to his former teammate, it really makes me wonder how they were together all these years together. It’s a souring reminder that sports are a business and players aren’t necessarily “friends”.
Next week, I’ll discuss free agency across the league and deals that move me in particular.
