The early returns are tempting to turn into a verdict, but neither the Philadelphia 76ers nor the Boston Celtics should be rushing to crown anybody in the Paul George-Jaylen Brown swap conversation.
Philadelphia is sitting at 7-1, Boston is 5-2, and the noise around who “won” the deal is already getting loud. That’s exactly the kind of talk that can get out of hand this early. The Celtics may love the idea of getting the more productive player while also landing the draft capital that came with him, but the Sixers have every reason to block out that spin.
For one thing, Brown has been the better producer so far. The 76ers expected a nine-time All-Star when they paid for George, a player who had averaged 23.0 points, 4.5 assists, and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 39.7% from three.
What they got in Philadelphia was 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists on 37.5% shooting, with George appearing in fewer than 50% of the Sixers’ games over the past two seasons. That’s a steep gap between the name on the contract and the player on the floor.
Brown’s start with the Sixers has been stronger. Through seven games, he’s at 20.6 points per game, hitting 41.9% from deep, while adding 6.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists a night.
And this isn’t just about offense. Philadelphia has been one of the top defensive teams in the opening stretch, and Brown has been a major part of that.
There’s also the bigger-picture piece the Sixers can’t ignore: the LeBron factor. James, Philadelphia’s best facilitator and most influential presence, likely doesn’t end up with the Sixers without the move for Brown.
Before that swap, Philly wasn’t really in the LeBron sweepstakes at all. The chatter had him headed to the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, or Miami Heat.
Once Brown arrived, the picture changed. Without that deal, the Sixers probably would have run it back with a roster that couldn’t get out of the second round.
And the calendar matters too. This is still the first sliver of an 82-game season.
The Sixers and Celtics don’t even play their first meeting until November 10, and their final regular-season game isn’t until April 11. There’s a long way to go, and both teams have plenty of time to reshape the story.
For now, both sides have reasons to feel good. Philadelphia is on top of the East.
Boston is right behind it. George is in Boston, Brown is in Philly, and the real answer to who got the better end of the deal is still a long way from being settled.
In Other News...
Nick Nurse Addressed Joel Embiids Late Exit Against The Bulls
Joel Embiids night against the Bulls ended early, but the bigger takeaway for the 76ers was the same one that has hovered over him since the foot issue surfaced: keeping him on the floor long enough to help, without pushing too far. Philadelphia handled Chicago 126-107, and Embiid logged 25 minutes before the team shut him down for the rest of the game as part of a minutes restriction. Tyrese Maxey picked up plenty of the offensive slack, finishing with 26 points and 11 assists in a win that looked comfortable long before the final buzzer.
After the game, Nick Nurse said Embiid was okay and made clear the late exit was a team decision tied to managing the injury. For the Sixers, that kind of night has become part of the larger balancing act, where the result matters but so does the long view with Embiid. The encouraging part is that Philadelphia still had enough firepower to control the game even with its centerpiece on a shortened leash, but the real question remains how the team handles that workload going forward. [Read more 🡒]
76ers Could Have A Veteran Answer To Their Backup Center Problem
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For Philadelphia, the appeal is obvious. Lopez brings experience and floor spacing, two traits that can help stabilize a second unit that has been viewed as a weakness, and the 76ers could explore adding him if he becomes available. Nothing is settled yet, but his fit is the kind of practical roster solution teams often circle once the buyout market opens. [Read more 🡒]
LeBrons Viral Moment At Sixers Game Is Already Sparking Debate
LeBron James turned a routine courtside moment into one of the nights biggest talking points during the 76ers home game against the Bulls, when he accidentally bumped a fan behind the basket and spilled the drink in the process. He then took a sip from the fans cup, and the whole sequence quickly spread well beyond the arena, with the drink reportedly being wine.
The reaction was immediate and split right down the middle, with some fans and commentators criticizing the move and others brushing it off as harmless. For the Sixers, it was the kind of viral detour that can follow a big-game atmosphere, even when the basketball itself is supposed to be the main event. [Read more 🡒]