Brad Stevens acknowledges that salary cap issues led to the surprising trade of Jaylen Brown by the Celtics.

Celtics Trade Jaylen Brown: A Mixed Response

On Monday afternoon, Brad Stevens, the president of basketball operations for the Celtics, attempted to explain the decision to trade Jaylen Brown, leaving many fans in Boston feeling frustrated and bewildered by yet another star player leaving the team.

In a trade deal with the 76ers, Brown’s departure brought Paul George to Boston along with a draft pick. Stevens mentioned that this move would provide the Celtics with “options” for the future.

While Celtics executives acknowledged Brown’s valuable contributions over the years, they also pointed out their concerns about nearly 70 percent of the salary cap being allocated to just two players: Brown and Jayson Tatum.

Discussing the trade, Stevens noted that Brown’s contract complicated their ability to build a competitive roster. Still, it was unexpected, especially after Brown’s impressive MVP-level performance in the 2025-26 season.

“We know this decision can be scrutinized,” Stevens admitted. “We’re not trying to shield ourselves from that. We’re just navigating through the emotions of his absence.”

George’s current contract is slightly more manageable, featuring a cap hit of $57.7 million this season and a player option for 2027-28 that could hit $56.5 million. In contrast, Brown’s deal still has three years left, with next year’s payment at $61.6 million, and creeping up to $65.6 million by the 2028-29 season.

When asked about the salary situation, Stevens said, “If you’re thinking in terms of ‘options,’ it’s really about the length and the potential that comes with it. Depth is crucial for us and plays into this decision.”

He insisted that there was no personal animosity towards Brown or any discontent from him, expressing gratitude for Brown’s decade-long presence in Boston. “We all appreciate Jalen. He’s been an important part of our journey,” Stevens added.

Celtics owner Bill Chisholm also responded to speculation suggesting that ownership pushed for lower salaries on the roster since their championship win in 2024. Chisholm refuted this assertion, stating that all decisions stemmed from a basketball perspective rather than financial concerns. “It was never just about the money. We aimed to bring in the right players and assets to compete and win,” he clarified. “Now we have some room to maneuver, and if Brad identifies a target, he’s empowered to act.”