TITLE: Stevens Says Flexibility Drove Celtics’ Decision To Send Jaylen Brown To 76ers
SLUG: stevens-explains-brown-trade-optionality
CONTENT:
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said Monday that Boston shipped five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia in order to increase roster flexibility and stockpile future assets.
Speaking hours after the deal became official, Stevens told reporters at the team’s practice facility that Boston wanted “optionality” rather than having roughly 70 percent of its salary cap and a large share of possessions tied to Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Shorter contract, extra picks key factors
Stevens pointed to incoming forward Paul George’s contract structure and the additional draft selections obtained from the 76ers as primary motivations. George carries a $54.1 million cap hit in 2026-27 and holds a $56.6 million player option for 2027-28. Brown’s new super-max agreement would have paid him $57.7 million in 2026-27, $61.7 million in 2027-28 and $65.6 million in 2028-29.
“The path looked a little bit more challenging,” Stevens said, noting recent league champions have relied on depth. “We have to keep finding ways to build out that depth and diversify our attack.”
No mandate to move Brown, executives say
Stevens pushed back on speculation that Boston and Brown had soured on one another. “We didn’t feel like we had to do something,” he said, adding the club would have been comfortable keeping the 27-year-old guard if suitable value had not emerged.
Team owner Bill Chisholm insisted financial relief was not the motive. “This was about putting together the right set of players and assets to win now and in the years ahead,” Chisholm said, adding that Stevens retains “the green light” to spend should further opportunities arise.
George still viewed as impact player
Although the 36-year-old George has battled knee problems over the past two seasons, Stevens said the veteran can still swing games on both ends. He referenced Boston’s recent playoff meetings with Philadelphia, where George “could carry you for portions of a quarter or a half.”
Stevens aware of outside criticism
The Celtics leader acknowledged that many observers view the return as light for an All-NBA performer. “What we ultimately decided could be right or wrong,” Stevens said. “Time will tell.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
