How Does the Shocking Blockbuster Trade of the 2024 NBA Finals MVP Impact the Celtics and Sixers?
The rumors surrounding Jaylen Brown and his possible departure from Boston have, at last, become true. This new month of July opened up with a Shams Charania ‘bang,’ as he reported that the five-time all-star has found a new home. Brown will suit up for the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ next season, as the Philadelphia 76ers traded Paul George, as well as two first-round and two second-round picks, to acquire the Celtics star forward and 2024 NBA Finals MVP. After being at the center of trade speculation for back-to-back off-seasons, Boston finally managed to find a package and get value for the Georgia native.
The Celtics front office has tried to replicate their 2024 success, but has failed to achieve much since their championship. After losing to the Warriors in the NBA Finals a few years ago, talks began to circulate about splitting up ‘the Jays.’ While Jayson Tatum and Brown are both in their prime, similar strengths in the same position made some question how high the team’s ceiling can be with them on the floor together. Could head coach Joe Mazzulla’s group, as currently constructed, have reached the pinnacle of NBA basketball again?
Well, one ring but a few shortcomings later, the answer appears to be no. This now officially becomes Tatum’s team, and while I think that Boston could’ve extracted even more quality for the Cal alum, it’s important to put this move into perspective. As Brad Stevens, you have made one of your superstar players seem untouchable in Tatum, while you have continuously shopped the other around. At this point, I believe that Brown needed to be traded, especially after the C’s swung for Giannis Antetokounmpo and missed. Since he would eventually lose some value from Boston’s desperation, the organization opted to trade the 2024 NBA Finals MVP for an offer that’s good, not great. While this move frees the Celtics up from a massive contract, it signals a draft-and-develop strategy, and taking two steps back to hopefully move four steps forward.
The 76ers, on the other hand, should be ecstatic about this exchange. They first got rid of a four-year, $211 million contract tied to a player who averaged a decent 17 points per game but wasn’t available for even half of Philadelphia’s games during the last two years. Yes, that would, of course, be George, whose production as a Sixer objectively does not warrant the money invested by the team. In the process, the three-time NBA Champions also managed to acquire an elite two-way player. With the acquisition of Brown, Philly adds a three-level scoring threat who’s coming off a career year in points, rebounds and assists. Defensively, his length and athleticism will surely help Philadelphia to improve from the 24th-best perimeter defense last season. Overall, for a squad that looks ready to win now, the 76ers add a piece that may make their starting lineup the best league-wide.
