Bill Simmons, widely regarded as a fervent Celtics supporter and the founder of The Ringer podcast network, weighed in with his thoughts on the trade on a Thursday morning episode of his podcast. Simmons explained why he couldn’t record immediately after the trade and offered his candid assessment of Boston’s return for Brown, a player who had been one of the franchise’s top performers.
Simmons’ reaction was colored by the unexpected nature of the trade and the timing, as he recounted waking from a medical procedure and processing the news in a highly startled state. He described a moment of disbelief, noting: Brown had been traded to Philadelphia for Paul George and two first-round picks, among other considerations, and he emphasized how perplexing the result felt in the moment.
As one of the most recognizable Celtics fans in sports media, Simmons’ reaction mirrored that of many fans who wondered whether the package could have been more substantial given Brown’s status as an All-NBA performer a season earlier. The general takeaway among many observers was that the return did not meet the high expectations set by Brown’s recent performance.
The trade also intensified the long-standing Celtics-76ers rivalry. The two teams have faced each other 23 times in the playoffs—the most encounters between any two teams in league history—adding an extra layer of intensity to the deal. The 76ers’ acquisition of Brown, combined with this historic rivalry, promised to shape the upcoming season’s matchups in meaningful ways and likely elevate the drama of their rivalry sacrosanct in NBA lore.
In sum, the trade sparked a mix of surprise and debate among fans and analysts. While some praised the bold move by Boston, others questioned the valuation of Brown in the wake of his All-NBA accolade. Regardless of the divided opinions, the deal injected fresh storyline into the Celtics-76ers rivalry and set the stage for compelling, highly anticipated games next season.
