The Boston Celtics may have caught a major break from a situation that had nothing to do with them.
A deal that drew plenty of heat for what Boston received in return for Jaylen Brown suddenly looks a lot more interesting after the NBA’s punishment in the Kawhi Leonard-Clippers scandal. One piece in particular stands out: the 2028 pick swap the Celtics got between the Philadelphia 76ers and Clippers.
There’s still plenty of uncertainty around the Sixers, but the Clippers’ side of that swap just took a serious hit. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the team will lose its next five consecutive first-round picks, beginning in 2029, along with other penalties.
Per NBA: The Clippers shall forfeit five first-round draft picks, one in each of the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 NBA Drafts.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is suspended from all league and team activities for one year for knowingly seeking to help Mr. Leonard obtain off-court… https://t.co/OhqXDEBirj
- Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 2, 2026
That matters for Boston because those stripped picks make it harder for the Clippers to improve, which in turn gives the Celtics’ swap more value. It also opens the door for Boston to go pick-watching again, something it hasn’t really done since 2017.
And the Celtics have reason to like where that road can lead. The last time they were in this kind of position, they ended up with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. That path also brought Kyrie Irving into the picture, but the broader point remains: when you own a potentially valuable pick, there isn’t really a wrong way to use it.
Boston now has another rare chance in front of it. Even if Paul George works out, he will likely be a huge expiring contract next summer. Combine that with the pick swap and the fact that the Celtics still hold most of their future assets, and they could be positioned to jump to the front of the line if a superstar becomes available.
The Brown trade has been heavily criticized because Boston gave up the more talented player. But situations like this are a reminder that trades can’t be judged in the moment. If the Celtics eventually land the player who becomes the final piece of Banner 19, whether through the draft or through a star acquired with that pick, the deal will look a whole lot different in hindsight.
In Other News...
Derrick White Suddenly Feels Less Safe In Bostons Core
Derrick White has long looked like one of the safer pieces in Bostons core, the kind of player who fits almost anywhere because of his defense, decision-making and steady all-around game. Sports Illustrateds John Karalis recently underscored that point while also noting the tension around the Celtics cap situation, where even dependable contributors can become complicated fast when the financial picture tightens.
Whites recent shooting has added another layer to the conversation, since a swing in performance can change how a team views a player whose value is built on balance rather than volume scoring. None of that means Boston is preparing to move him, but it does make his roster security feel a little less automatic than it once did, especially with the Celtics already navigating a squeezed financial outlook. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Trade Return Rides On One Complicated Pick Twist
The Celtics return for Jaylen Brown is straightforward on the surface: Paul George, two first-rounders and two second-round picks from Philadelphia. But buried in the package is the kind of draft-night accounting that can shape a franchise years down the line, including an unprotected 2031 pick from the 76ers and a protected 2028 first from the Clippers that comes wrapped in swap rights and layered protections involving Boston and San Antonio.
For the Celtics, the second-round pieces add a little more value to the haul, too. They come in 2028 and 2030 and are structured as the most favorable of several teams selections, which is the sort of detail that can look minor now and matter later when front offices are hunting for flexibility. The headline of the deal is the star-for-star swap, but the real long-term intrigue sits in how those picks eventually shake out. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Just Got A New Eastern Conference Threat To Worry About
The Eastern Conference picture may be about to get a lot more complicated for Boston. With the NBA punishing the Clippers over the Kawhi Leonard trade, the path has opened for Leonard to return to the Toronto Raptors, and ESPNs Shams Charania reports the deal is expected to be finalized in the next few days. For a Celtics team already measuring itself against the conferences best, the timing matters.
Toronto with Leonard back in the fold is a very different problem than Toronto without him. Even with the obvious questions about his health and durability, his arrival would be viewed as a major upgrade and would put another proven playoff force back in Bostons lane. The Celtics do not need more contenders making the road harder, but this one has the kind of star power that can change the balance in the East quickly. [Read more 🡒]