Thursday, October 1, 2026
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The Philadelphia 76ers made a blockbuster addition Wednesday, acquiring five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
In addition to George, the Sixers are sending their division rivals a 2028 first-round pick that could convert into a swap that is more favorable to Boston, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, the most favorable of Golden State, Oklahoma City and Milwaukee and a 2030 second, the most favorable of Washington, Portland and Phoenix.
Brown’s future in Boston became uncertain after the Celtics reportedly explored trading him to Milwaukee for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
With Jayson Tatum sidelined for most of the season while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, Brown led Boston to a 56-26 record and a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference. In 71 games last season, he averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game and finished in sixth place in the 2025-26 NBA Most Valuable Player voting.
Brown has been frequently criticized for a style of play that sacrifices efficiency in the name of volume and produces excessive turnovers, but his production and résumé speak for themselves. The Sixers have landed one of the NBA's premier two-way wings.
The addition comes at a significant cost, both in draft capital and future salary. Brown is owed roughly $183 million over the next three seasons, a financial commitment that likely helped keep the trade package lighter than many expected. Considering Philadelphia was set to owe George more than $110 million over the next two seasons, assuming he exercised his 2027-28 player option, Brown's contract is a more palatable long-term commitment.
Jaylen Brown’s time as a rival with the Sixers has come to an end in the most dramatic way imaginable.
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