NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Jaylen Brown is after all traded by the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly reached a deal to send Brown to the Sixers in exchange for veteran All-Star Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks, according to ESPN.
Trade rumors intensified earlier this offseason, as Brown was already at the center of a potential trade to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo before the Miami Heat landed “The Greek Freak.” Since then, the Celtics have reportedly stepped up their efforts to make a deal involving Brown.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and guard Jaylen Brown (7) celebrate with the Larry O’Brian Trophy after defeating the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals to win the NBA championship at TD Garden. (Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports)
Brown was named Finals MVP just two years ago, helping Boston win another NBA title for its vast trophy case. But the Celtics were reportedly on the verge of something and were actively shopping the dynamic 6-foot-6 guard to 8-10 teams across the NBA.
“The Celtics have actually started shopping Jaylen Brown heavily, soliciting offers from a market of about eight to 10 teams over the last few days,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said on “First Take” Wednesday morning. “It’s not really clear if a deal is done or where they necessarily stand, but the price threshold has been raised.”
GRIZZLIES TRADE JA MORANT TO TRAIL BLAZERS, ENDING TUMULTUOUS TENDER IN MEMPHIS: REPORT
Charania added that it was his “understanding” that Brown never requested a trade, making it a move the Celtics wanted to make.
They’re doing it with an Eastern Conference rival getting a huge boost on an exciting roster that could now have its own “Big Four.”
Brown arrives in Philadelphia with former league MVP Joel Embiid, All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey and 2025-26 All-Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe already in place. All four players have a knack for scoring in any situation and will surely pose a problem for defenses next season.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 30, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)
Brown is in the middle of his five-year, $285.39 million extension he signed with the Celtics, with a cap hit of $57.08 million for the 2026-27 season.
While Brown has been a five-time All-Star in his 10 years in Boston, including four straight since the 2022-23 campaign, there has been some controversy surrounding him this offseason.
Brown said last season was his “favorite year” despite a 3-1 first-round lead against the 76ers in the NBA playoffs. It was a comment that didn’t sit well with some, including ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, and his public thoughts on the matter ultimately led to a feud between the two.
It’s unclear if that had anything to do with the Celtics’ willingness to move on from Brown, but his inclusion in the failed trade with the Bucks for Antetokounmpo showed how willing they were to move up their roster.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown stands on the court before Game 7 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on May 2, 2026. (Winslow Townson/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Boston was active before the trade, signing New York Knicks backup center Mitchell Robinson to a four-year deal, strengthening their frontcourt. Robinson is likely one of the Celtics’ five starters right now, which includes Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Sam Hauser and possibly Payton Pritchard at point guard.
For the 76ers, they add more firepower with a player in Brown coming off a career year with 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game to lead the Celtics.
