Jaylen Brown Trade: Insider Reveals Celtics’ Surprising Assessment of All-Star Forward’s 2025-26 Season

The blockbuster trade sending Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics to the Philadelphia 76ers continues to generate discussion across the NBA, with new reports shedding light on Boston’s thinking before the deal was completed.

Brown, who spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Celtics and helped lead the franchise to an NBA championship, was traded to Philadelphia in exchange for veteran star Paul George and multiple draft picks.

According to ESPN insider Brian Windhorst, the Celtics’ internal evaluation of Brown may have played a significant role in their willingness to move on from the former NBA Finals MVP.

Celtics Reportedly Preferred Derrick White’s Season

Speaking on The Hoop Collective podcast, Windhorst claimed that Boston’s front office did not consider Brown the team’s top performer during the 2025-26 campaign.

“Even though Jaylen Brown was talking about himself for MVP, the Celtics did not feel like Jaylen had the best season on their team. They felt that Derrick White had a better season,” Windhorst reportedly said.

The revelation surprised many NBA fans given Brown’s status as one of the league’s premier two-way wings and a central figure in Boston’s recent success.

Giannis Pursuit Played Major Role

Reports suggest Brown had already become a frequent subject of trade discussions before the Philadelphia deal was finalized.

NBA insider Shams Charania revealed that Boston previously attempted to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks and reportedly offered Brown along with two unprotected first-round picks as part of a potential package.

Although the Celtics failed to land the two-time MVP, Charania stated that the organization continued exploring trade possibilities involving Brown afterward.

“They were actively shopping Jaylen Brown,” Charania reported, indicating that Boston’s interest in moving the All-Star predated the agreement with Philadelphia.

Brown Never Requested a Trade

Despite months of speculation regarding his future, Charania emphasized that Brown never asked to leave Boston.

The six-time All-Star reportedly remained committed to the franchise throughout the process and did not request a trade at any point.

Nevertheless, Boston ultimately chose to move in a different direction, completing a deal that brought Paul George to the Celtics while also providing additional financial flexibility.

What the Trade Means for Both Teams

For the Philadelphia 76ers, the acquisition of Brown creates a formidable core alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The move immediately strengthens Philadelphia’s championship aspirations in the Eastern Conference.

Meanwhile, the Celtics gain a veteran star in George while reducing long-term salary commitments and positioning themselves to remain competitive under the league’s restrictive luxury-tax rules.

As more details emerge, the Brown trade is shaping up to be one of the defining moves of the 2026 NBA offseason, with both franchises betting that a major roster shakeup can help them achieve their championship goals.