Green argued that the swap isn’t equal. He expressed high regard for Paul George but pointed out age differences: George is in his late 30s and approaching year 17 of his career, while Brown is 29 and entering year 11. Green also noted that Brown earned All-NBA Second Team recognition this past season and suggested he might have deserved a first-team nod. He implied that, given their current career stages, even George would acknowledge that the deal isn’t even on paper.
The trade wasn’t a simple two-player swap. Boston received multiple draft assets, including two first-round picks (2028 and 2031) and two second-round picks (2028 and 2030). As with any deal involving draft capital, the true value may only be understood years down the line, once those selections come to fruition. If those picks land high enough, the deal’s balance could be viewed more favorably in hindsight.
When evaluating the move purely on recent performance, the comparison tilts in favor of the 76ers. Looking at Paul George’s last two seasons, there is a clear pattern: his peak seasons came earlier in his career. The 2018-19 season stands out as a career highlight for George, with 28.0 points per game, 8.9 rebounds per game, and a league-leading 2.2 steals per game over 77 appearances. Since then, George has been more prone to missing games, with fewer than 60 appearances in most seasons, and a recent workload that has included 41 games in 2024-25 and 37 games in the following season, averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.8 steals in 2024-25, followed by 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 steals in the next season.
Those numbers show solid contributions from a veteran star who isn’t the primary offensive option, but they don’t necessarily justify trading away a prime James Brown-level player for a veteran still in a later stage of his career.
Jaylen Brown’s production in recent seasons presents a contrasting picture. In 2024-25, Brown averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals. The following season, he posted a career-best 28.7 points per game with 5.1 assists and 6.9 rebounds, numbers that underscore his high-level impact and versatility. Additionally, he appeared in 71 games last season and 63 games the season before, signaling durability alongside his scoring and playmaking improvements.
In sum, the deal’s verdict remains nuanced. The Celtics secured a substantial package of draft picks and a star in Paul George — a combination that could yield future value if the picks develop into strong assets and George remains productive. Conversely, Brown’s prime scoring peak and all-NBA recognition highlight the offense and floor leadership the Sixers acquired. As the draft assets mature and both teams navigate the coming seasons, observers will return to this trade with further context, weighing Brown’s prime production against George’s veteran contributions and the long-term value of the acquired draft capital.
