Jaylen Brown, the five-time All-Star guard, has joined the Philadelphia 76ers. On Monday, the league's moratorium period was lifted, clearing the way for agreed upon deals to become official.
What happened?
The 76ers acquired Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Paul George and multiple draft picks.
Why it matters for Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown spoke for the first time since the trade, issuing a prepared statement from the team. He expressed excitement to begin this new chapter in Philly, citing the team's hunger, competitiveness, and commitment to winning.
What comes next?
Jaylen Brown plans to be as active in the Philadelphia community as he was in Boston alongside his 7uice Foundation. The 76ers are also reportedly one of the teams still pursuing star forward LeBron James in free agency.
The 76ers made the trade for Jaylen Brown after multiple rumors and speculation that the Celtics were looking to move him following a failed pursuit for Giannis Antetokounmpo. If everyone is healthy, Jaylen Brown forms a talented quartet alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgcombe.
This past season, Jaylen Brown had an MVP-caliber year while leading the Celtics to a top three seed in the Eastern Conference amid the absence of Jayson Tatum. He averaged a career-high 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 47.7 percent from the field, 34.7 percent from the 3-point line, and 79.5 percent from the free throw line.
Jaylen Brown's statement highlighted his enthusiasm for the new chapter, saying he's looking forward to building with this group, earning the trust of his teammates, and chasing something special together. The 76ers' acquisition of Jaylen Brown is expected to make a significant impact on the team's performance in the upcoming season.
The trade has been met with excitement from fans, who are eager to see Jaylen Brown in action alongside the 76ers' talented roster. With the addition of Jaylen Brown, the 76ers are poised to make a strong push for the playoffs and potentially even the NBA championship.
Jaylen Brown's experience and skillset will undoubtedly be an asset to the 76ers, and his commitment to the community will likely make him a fan favorite in Philadelphia. As the season approaches, fans will be watching closely to see how Jaylen Brown and the 76ers perform on the court.