Draymond Green heard someone out there call the blockbuster Celtics-76ers trade an even swap and he had to stop the conversation.
The Golden State veteran went on his podcast this week to address the deal that sent Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George, two first-round picks, a pick swap, and two second-round selections. And he made it clear that trading player-for-player was not equal.
“I saw someone say, ‘aw, man this is just about an even swap.’ And no disrespect to Paul George, but this isn’t an even swap,” Green said. “I got a lot of love for PG. But like myself, PG is 36 years old. Not like myself. I’m going into year 15. I think PG is going into year 17. And Jaylen Brown, not even 30 years old. He’s 29 years old, and he’s going into year 11.”
Green kept going. He pointed out Brown won Finals MVP two seasons ago and just made All-NBA second team after a 28.7-point, 6.9-rebound, 5.1-assist season. Some thought Brown deserved first-team honors. Green didn’t have to mention that part, but he did.
“When you’re talking just player for player, it’s not,” Green said. “That’s no shot at PG.”
The trade itself shook the Eastern Conference. Boston sent its 2024 Finals MVP to Philadelphia for a 36-year-old George and a pile of future draft capital. The Celtics are betting on flexibility and veteran experience. The Sixers are getting Brown in his prime, and he held things together for Boston even when Jayson Tatum missed extended time.
Green doubled down on what he saw as a media framing problem.
“I don’t think Paul George would say at this point in his career that him and Jaylen Brown are an even swap,” Green said. “So when I look at sports media and people saying that either one you’re not smart, or two you’re trying to lessen the value of Jaylen Brown. You’re trying to make it out as if Jaylen Brown isn’t Jaylen Brown. And I just think that’s bulls**t.”
He made sure to give George his flowers — first-ballot Hall of Famer, all that — but he wasn’t budging on the present day. “To say today that Jaylen Brown and Paul George is an even swap, I struggle with that badly.”
Green isn’t the only one with thoughts. The debate has split fans and analysts. Some see Boston getting younger and collecting assets. Others see Philadelphia getting a proven winner at the perfect point in his career. Either way, Draymond thinks one side of the conversation is being ignored.
The Celtics finished 56-26 last season. Brown carried the load while Tatum was out. The Sixers are adding a 29-year-old Finals MVP who has already proven he can be the best player on a title team. There’s a real argument that Boston gave up too much. Or maybe they just saw the math differently.
Either way, the player-for-player part? Draymond says you can’t call it fair.
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