Complex Protections Surround 2028 First-Round Asset in Celtics-76ers Trade
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The Boston Celtics will receive four future draft considerations from the Philadelphia 76ers in the Jaylen Brown trade, but only three of those picks are simple to track. According to multiple reports, Boston is set to acquire Philadelphia’s unprotected 2031 first-round selection, the most favorable of the Warriors/Thunder/Bucks second-rounders in 2028, and the most favorable of the Wizards/Trail Blazers/Suns second-rounders in 2030.
The fourth pick, a 2028 first-round asset, carries layered protections and swap options that involve four different franchises. Spotrac’s Keith Smith detailed the precise language governing that pick, which hinges on where the Los Angeles Clippers’ unprotected 2028 first-rounder and the 76ers’ own 2028 first-rounder land, as well as the swap rights the San Antonio Spurs hold on Boston’s 2028 first (top-one protected).
How the 2028 Pick Works
Smith outlined four possible scenarios:
- Clippers 1–16, 76ers 1–8: Boston gets the most favorable of the Clippers, 76ers, and the least favorable of the Celtics/Spurs picks. Philadelphia takes the two least favorable of those three.
- Clippers 1–16, 76ers 9–30: Boston receives the most favorable between the Clippers pick and the least favorable of the Celtics/Spurs picks. Philadelphia keeps the least favorable of those two.
- Clippers 17–30, 76ers 1–8: Boston secures the most favorable between the 76ers pick and the least favorable of the Celtics/Spurs picks. Philadelphia retains the least favorable of those two.
- Clippers 17–30, 76ers 9–30: Boston acquires both the Clippers pick and the least favorable of the Celtics/Spurs picks, giving the club an extra first-rounder.
Only the fourth scenario guarantees Boston two first-round selections in 2028. In the other three outcomes, the Celtics could improve draft position through a swap but would have to surrender their own pick (or the Spurs’ swapped pick) to activate it.
If Boston’s 2028 pick lands No. 1 overall, the Celtics keep it outright because of the top-one protection, regardless of swap opportunities. They could still collect the Clippers pick if it finishes between 17 and 30.
Potential Additional Swap Clause
Tony Jones of The Athletic reported that if Philadelphia later obtains another 2028 first-round selection, Boston would gain swap rights on that pick as well if it proves more favorable than the previously listed choices. Whether the NBA would permit that language remains unclear.
The intricate protections add another layer of strategy to a trade that already reshaped two Eastern Conference contenders.
Source: Hoops Rumors
