The Philadelphia 76ers pulled off the kind of trade that makes you double-check the date. It’s not a simulation. It’s real. Wednesday, the franchise sent Paul George and a handful of draft picks to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Jaylen Brown. And if you thought the fanbase was buzzing, wait until you hear what Tyrese Maxey had to say.
Maxey, the 25-year-old guard who’s quickly becoming the emotional center of this team, fired off a seven-word post on X. He wrote: “The NBA is doing that THING AGAIN.” That’s it. That’s the post. No clarification needed. The guy is clearly thrilled, but he also didn’t sound shocked. Because let’s be honest, the NBA offseason has a history of making nonsense look like a plan.
The deal itself is a stunner for a few reasons. First, the Celtics reportedly wanted four or five first-round picks for Brown. Instead, Philly gave up George, two first-rounders and two second-round picks. That’s it. The 76ers front office saw a weak market and pounced. Brown is expected to slide into the starting small forward spot, which immediately changes the geometry of that lineup.
The Numbers Behind the Move
Brown is coming off a career year in Boston. Across 71 games last season, the 10-year veteran averaged 28.7 points and 5.1 assists, both career highs. He tied his career best in rebounds at 6.9 per game. He shot 47.7% from the field and 34.7% from three. Those are legit numbers for a guy who’s still in his prime.
He joins a Philly team with a promising young backcourt in Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe. And yeah, Joel Embiid is still there. When healthy, Embiid remains one of the most dominant players in the league. That core alone makes the 76ers a problem in the East.
What Comes Next
The 76ers made the playoffs last season, and the front office clearly isn’t done. Free agency has been open for just over 24 hours, and rumors are already swirling about more moves. Whether it’s another trade or a signing, the vibe around this team has shifted fast.
Maxey’s reaction says everything about the energy inside that locker room right now. They know they got better. They know the East just got tougher. And they’re not hiding how they feel about it.
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