The Philadelphia 76ers went public Monday with major roster changes, formally announcing the completion of a high-profile trade for star forward Jaylen Brown and the addition of free-agent guard Anfernee Simons.
Philadelphia confirmed it received Brown from the Boston Celtics in exchange for veteran forward Paul George, two first-round draft picks, and two second-round picks — sending them to one of the franchise’s most familiar division opponents. With Simons now on board as well, the 76ers’ core takes shape around Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe.
Brown, 29, wraps up a 10-year run in Boston that saw him earn five All-Star selections, two All-NBA second-team honors, and the 2024 NBA Finals MVP award. The third overall pick in the 2016 draft put up a career-best 28.7 points per game last season — fourth-best in the entire league — while also setting personal records in rebounds (6.9) and assists (5.1).
Across his career, Brown has posted averages of 20.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, connecting on 47.8% of his field goal attempts and 35.8% of his three-point tries over 674 regular-season games, with 567 starts. He still has three years left on the five-year, $285 million supermax contract he inked with Boston back in 2023.
“I’m excited to begin this next chapter in Philly,” Brown said. “From every conversation I’ve had, it’s clear this is a group that’s hungry, competitive and committed to winning; and that’s the kind of environment I’ve always embraced.”
Philadelphia is banking on Brown’s ability to contribute on both ends of the floor, along with his deep postseason experience. In Boston, he appeared in 142 playoff games (122 starts) and was part of a championship run. Since his rookie year in 2016, Brown’s combined 523 wins in the regular season and playoffs rank first in the entire NBA.
Philadelphia managing partner Josh Harris described Brown as “one of the best two-way players in the league” and took a moment to acknowledge George’s contributions to the organization.
George, 36, spent two seasons with the 76ers, putting up averages of 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.8 steals across 78 games before heading to Boston. The draft compensation heading to the Celtics includes Philadelphia’s unprotected 2031 first-round pick, a top-16 protected 2028 first-round pick connected to the Los Angeles Clippers, and second-round selections in 2028 and 2030.
Over his career with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Clippers, and 76ers, George has averaged 20.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.7 steals in 945 games, shooting 44.0% from the floor and 38.4% from beyond the arc.
Simons, 27, brings Philadelphia another reliable outside shooter. He averaged 14.3 points in 55 games split between Boston and Chicago last season, hitting 38.5% of his three-point attempts. He has shot at least 36% from three in each of the past six seasons. Although the 76ers did not reveal the financial terms, ESPN reported the deal is a two-year contract worth $12.3 million, with a player option attached to the second year.
