The NBA free agency in 2026 has already brought several surprises, but none as big as the one confirmed this Wednesday. The Boston Celtics decided to part ways with Jaylen Brown and sent him to the Philadelphia 76ers in a trade that shook the entire league.
The package Boston receives includes Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks. No one expected the star forward to end up with a historic rival like the Sixers, who just eliminated the Celtics last season.
Brown comes off his best year as a professional. At 29 years old, he took on the leadership role after Jayson Tatum's serious injury in the 2025 Playoffs, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. He led Boston to a record of 56-26 and seriously contended for the MVP award.
The impact in Philadelphia
For the 76ers, this move represents a huge leap in their aspirations. Jaylen Brown joins a young and talented core made up of Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and promising VJ Edgecombe. The team now has the tools to compete on equal footing against the reigning champion Knicks and the Cavaliers, who dream of adding LeBron James.
