Key facts
- The Boston Celtics traded All-Star Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and multiple draft picks.
- Celtics president Brad Stevens cited salary cap management and future flexibility as the main reasons for the trade.
- Brown's remaining contract and Jayson Tatum's deal were deemed too high for the team to maintain roster flexibility.
- Paul George's contract and Tatum's salary are projected to take up a significant portion of the salary cap.
- Stevens defended the draft pick compensation received in the trade.
- Brown expressed feeling disrespected due to a perceived lack of communication during the trade process.
Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens and owner Bill Chisholm have clarified that the decision to trade perennial All-Star Jaylen Brown was driven by the need for salary cap flexibility and to manage the team's balance sheet in an evolving NBA landscape. Stevens acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, stating it was a sad personal day but necessary for the franchise's future competitiveness, especially after back-to-back 50-win seasons and a 2024 NBA championship.
Stevens explained that having a high percentage of the salary cap tied up in two players made the path forward more challenging. Brown was traded to division rival Philadelphia for Paul George and multiple draft picks. Brown is set to earn over $185 million remaining on his current contract, with a potential extension adding another $140 million. This, combined with Jayson Tatum's substantial contract, was deemed too much to maintain roster flexibility.
Paul George will make $54 million in the upcoming season, and together with Tatum's $58 million, they are projected to account for about 70% of the Celtics' salary cap in 2026-27. Stevens emphasized the value of future flexibility and draft compensation, noting George's one-year contract plus a player option. Owner Bill Chisholm asserted that the decision was solely about winning and trusting the team's process, not about adhering to specific salary cap levels.
Stevens also defended the trade return, highlighting that George is a six-time All-NBA and nine-time All-Star, despite his injury history. He noted George's ability to carry a team or play a complementary role at a high level. Stevens pushed back against Brown's assertion that he was kept in the dark, stating they had several discussions and expressing regret if Brown felt disrespected. Brown had publicly stated he was not thrilled with how the conversation was facilitated and felt there was a lack of respect. Jayson Tatum, Brown's long-time teammate, was not consulted on the decision.