Jaylen Brown trade grade. Who came out on top, Sixers or Celtics?

[ASFN Admin]

In a shocking move, the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics pulled off a move that made day two of NBA free agency an afterthought.

The unlikely move between archrivals saw the Celtics send All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown to the Sixers for fellow All-NBA forward Paul George and draft picks.

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ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Sixers will send George to the rival Celtics along with two first-round picks and a pair second-round picks. The picks include:

• A 2028 first-round pick that could convert from a first to a swap that is more favorable to Boston;
• Philadelphia's 2031 unprotected first-round pick;
• A 2028 second round, which is the most favorable picks between the Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder and Milwaukee Bucks;
• A 2030 second, most favorable picks between Washington Wizards, Portland Trailblazers and Phoenix Suns.

Making the move even more bizarre is that Boston initiated the trade, not the 2024 Finals MVP, as the Celtics were calling teams around the league searching for the best deal before making the trade with the Sixers, Charania reported.

The move highlights the intent of both teams as the Sixers make a win-now move to go for a championship with former MVP Joel Embiid and All-Star Tyrese Maxey. Meanwhile, the Celtics might be looking toward building a younger team around All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum and future picks before George's contract expires in two years.

Here are our grades for the trade:

Jaylen Brown trade grade​

76ers​

With the Sixers up against the cap, few thought Gansey would be making any major moves. However, the newly hired executive pulled off one of the biggest trades in recent 76ers history, likely helping electrify a fanbase desperate for a championship following years falling short of a conference tile appearance.

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Despite an up-and-down season that saw Embiid miss time (again) and PG out due to a performance enhancing suspension, the Sixers were able to pull it together in time for the playoffs on the backs on Maxey and rookie V.J. Edgecombe.

With Maxey nearing his peak and making looking like a future star, it appeared the Sixers were on two timelines with a young core mixed with aging stars.

By finally making an all-in move for a two-way player who can take pressure off Embiid and Maxey, Gansey has vaulted the Sixers from play-in hopefuls to title contenders.

76ers grade: A

For Boston and it's fans, the fall from grace from dynasty talk to breaking out a possible hall-of-fame duo is a sudden gut punch.

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Celtics​

Just months prior, a Brown-led Celtics team was clicking on all cylinders with Tatum set to return as the playoffs approached. However, inconsistent shooting and another injury to Tatum resulted in a stunning playoff loss to Philly — the first time in more than four decades.

A fallout between Brown and the Celtics nearly led to Boston acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo, but instead the team settled for an aging George and four future picks.

While Boston president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has proven he could turn those picks into gold, it's likely not the return he expected for Brown.

Celtics grade: C+

76ers roster​

With Brown now in Philly, here's what a potential 76ers lineup could look like as the roster stands now:

Sixers starting lineup​

• C: Joel Embiid
• PF: Dean Wade
• SF: Jaylen Brown
• G: V.J. Edgecombe
• G: Tyrese Maxey

Sixers bench​

• Dominick Barlow, F
• Adem Bona, C
• Johni Broome, F
• Justin Edwards, F
• Ariel Hukporti, C
• Jabari Walker, F
• Labaron Philon Jr., G
• Dalen Terry, G

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Jaylen Brown trade grade. Who came out on top, Sixers or Celtics?

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