The Boston Celtics will send star forward Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for veteran Paul George in a blockbuster NBA trade, ESPN reported on Wednesday.

Boston will also receive two first-round draft picks and two second-round picks in the deal.

The news emerged on the first full day of the NBA's free agency negotiating period, days after reports that Brown had been mentioned as part of a trade package for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat.

The 29-year-old Brown reached the playoffs in each of his 10 seasons in Boston, including six appearances in the Eastern Conference finals and two NBA Finals appearances.

He was named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in the Celtics 2024 championship run, coming off the best individual season of his career.

He averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game in 2025-26 as the Celtics claimed the second seed in the Eastern Conference, but they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the 76ers.

His outstanding play saw the Celtics defy predictions they would tread water with Jayson Tatum sidelined as he recovered from an Achilles injury. (AFP)



Edited by Cecil Wong