On Wednesday, Boston Celtics fans reacted strongly to the news of Jaylen Brown’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers. Brown, a five-time All-Star and the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, was a much-loved figure in Boston.
In exchange, the Celtics acquired former All-Star Paul George, along with future draft picks: first-round selections in 2028 and 2031 and second-round picks in 2028 and 2030. This trade displeased many fans. Former Boston Celtics player Kendrick Perkins criticized it as “one of the dumbest trades in NBA history.”
“This is a sad day for the Boston Celtics, and as a former Celtic, I do not approve,” Perkins stated on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.” “If you’re gonna trade a guy that’s a top 10 player, you at least have to get back a guy that’s a top 15, top 20 player, and Paul George is not that. Paul George hasn’t been consistently good, since I was skinny, and that’s been a long damn time,” he said, calling the Celtics trade, “Nothing but sloppy seconds.”
According to Perkins, Celtics GM Brad Stevens weakened the team by enhancing the 76ers’ chances of reaching the NBA Finals next year. Brown joins a strong lineup that includes All-Star players Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, and rising star VJ Edgecombe. The 76ers had previously ousted Brown and the Celtics from the NBA Playoffs in a seven-game first-round series months ago.
The Celtics received a player with experience in George, a nine-time All-Star whose last All-Star appearance was in 2024. George once achieved All-NBA First Team honors in 2019 and twice made the All-Defensive Team in his career. However, concerns arise due to his age, now 36, and inconsistency.
George’s last season with the 76ers saw him averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, shooting 43.9% from the field. While not standout numbers, he performed well in the playoffs, contributing 16 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in the 76ers’ Game 5 win over the Celtics, followed by a 23-point effort in Game 6.
As the next season unfolds, the performances of both teams with their new players will determine the benefits of this trade more clearly.