Jaylen Brown and Kawhi Leonard each found themselves in blockbuster deals on Wednesday, but the return Boston got for Brown is the part that really jumps off the page.
Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, was dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers for nine-time All-Star Paul George, an unprotected first-round pick in 2031, a 2028 first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks in 2028 and 2030.
Leonard, meanwhile, was sent back to the Toronto Raptors for Gradey Dick, Brandon Ingram, first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round picks in 2030 and 2033, and a first-round pick swap in 2027.
On paper, there are reasons to think Brown should have brought back more. He’s six years younger than Leonard, and unlike Leonard, who has dealt with injury issues over the past couple of years, Brown has not carried that same durability baggage. He’s also a recent champion, while Leonard has already been through a long run of wear and tear.
That’s exactly why NBA reporter Josh Lewenberg’s reaction lit up the debate. As he put it on X: "whispers the Clippers got more for a 35-year-old Kawhi Leonard than Boston got for a 29-year-old Jaylen Brown," he wrote.
whispers the Clippers got more for a 35-year-old Kawhi Leonard than Boston got for a 29-year-old Jaylen Brown.
- Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) July 1, 2026
The draft-pick comparison is the sharpest part of the mismatch. Leonard’s return included two first-round picks, while Brown’s brought back just one first-rounder, even if it was unprotected. The rest of the pieces are close enough to wash out, and when it comes to player value, Ingram and Dick together clearly outweigh George, who averaged less than 20ppg for the second straight year.
That’s why Brown feels like the more valuable trade asset in this setup. If a 35-year-old Leonard with durability concerns could command that kind of package, Boston likely could have asked for more in a Brown deal.
Brown’s move also changes the picture in the East. He now has to fit alongside Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, though that kind of adjustment should come naturally after his years alongside Jayson Tatum. Together, that group can alter the balance of power in the conference.
Last season, the New York Knicks rolled to the Eastern Conference title, knocking out the 76ers in the semifinals and then sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference championship series.
But Brown’s arrival raises the ceiling in Philadelphia. If Embiid stays healthy and the offense clicks in the playoffs, the 76ers become a much more dangerous team. Cleveland hasn’t made a major leap this offseason, even with rumors linking LeBron James to the franchise, and the Pistons may be a factor but don’t have the same star power.
That leaves the Knicks as the main obstacle in the East. If the 76ers get the version of Embiid they need and Brown settles in quickly, New York’s grip on the conference won’t be easy to protect next season.
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