SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 24: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on October 24, 2025 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Through streaming tears and a quivering bottom lip, I gazed at Shams Charania’s latest release in the great dance we call free agency. The Los Angeles Lakers had realized my greatest horror: they overpaid for Walker Kessler, and the Utah Jazz would not be matching their offer sheet.
Now who’s going to be the UCCU Jazzman?
July 1st, 2026;
Dear Diary — er, MANLY Diary,
Oh Diary, he said he loved me. He said I was the only one for him. Even when we argued, he made an Instagram post just for me! He promised that I would always be in his heart, but when that silicon bimbo from Los Angeles flaunted her wares around, his eyes turned to dollar signs.
The pain! The agony! He said we would be together forever, but I guess she can give you something I never could: regret.
Don’t come crawling back to me when she doesn’t give you a ring. Don’t beg for my forgiveness when you realize I was the best you would ever have. I have a new boy now. His name is Jaxson; he spells his name with an X and an S, and he is always nice to his partners.
See you never!!!
And that is all I care to share from my personal record of the day.
Sincerely, I believed it would be the end of the world if the Utah Jazz lost Walker Kessler in restricted free agency. And to lose Kessler to the Lakers, of all teams, is an especially bitter gulp of offseason medicine. And while Jaxson Hayes isn’t the answer for Utah’s center needs (heh, welcome to Utah!), acquiring Los Angeles’ entire draft future in a sign-and-trade is a generous spoonful of sugar.
But as we step away from Kessler, it’s becoming fairly clear that Walker didn’t want to play in Utah as badly as he claimed on Instagram:
“I’ve seen what’s being said, and I want it to be clear that I have always wanted to be here — I love this city, these fans, my teammates, my coaches — that’s real to me. You don’t grow roots where you don’t want to be”.
Money was the wedge between Utah and Kessler, and it always had been. Kessler and his team touted him as one of basketball’s best shot-blockers and rebounders, and he deserves to be paid as one of the league’s premier centers. The Jazz conceded that point, but couldn’t possibly weigh down their cap sheet for a player who had never been an All-Star or All-Defense honoree, and had only played in 61% of all possible games since joining the team.
It came down to paying for Walker Kessler or paying for the idea of Walker Kessler, and Los Angeles is the Mecca of ideas.
The wildest development in this entire saga is the fact that with California’s steeper income tax rate, Kessler will be pocketing less than he would have if he had accepted Utah’s final offer. That communicates to me one of the following two possibilities:
Walker Kessler and his team are financially illiterate
It’s clear that this couple was better off splitting up. And though we’ll all miss Kessler here in Salt Lake City, the pair just couldn’t see eye to eye when it mattered most.
But at least the Lakers are finally doomed, right?
Calvin Barrett is the Associate Editor for SLC Dunk. Originally from Springville, Utah, he currently lives in Japan and has covered the NBA and college athletics since 2024.
Former NBA player Malik Beasley arrives outside of Brooklyn federal court, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in New York.
Malik Beasley’s lawyer said the indicted former NBA star “wants to move on with his life” after pleading not guilty Wednesday to charges that he altered his play in certain games in 2024 to enrich sports bettors and ease his own debts.
Beasley, the latest big name caught up in a sweeping federal gambling investigation, said little at his arraignment in Brooklyn federal court. He answered a judge’s questions with “yes, your honor” but let his lawyer, Jason Goldman, enter his plea on his behalf.
Afterward, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard stood quietly as Goldman spoke to reporters outside the courthouse, demurring when one asked if he had anything to say to his fans. Beasley, who played for six NBA teams in nine years, missed the most recent season because he was under investigation. Instead, he played for a Puerto Rican team co-owned by the rapper Bad Bunny.
Former NBA player Malik Beasley arrives outside of Brooklyn federal court, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in New York. AP Photo/Heather Khalifa
“He looks forward to fighting. He’s fought every day,” Goldman said. “He’s presumed innocent and that has to mean something still, obviously.”
Beasley, 29, and sports agent Paolo Zamorano, who also pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, were among six people charged in an indictment unsealed this week.
They are the newest defendants in a gambling sweep that has netted more than three dozen arrests, including former Miami Heat star Terry Rozier, who was accused of conspiring with friends to help them win bets, and Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups, who was accused of conspiring to fix high-stakes poker games.
Zamorano, 39, formerly represented another co-defendant, ex-NBA player Ed Davis, who had loaned money to Beasley and is accused of acting as his “gatekeeper” in the alleged scheme.
“We look forward to our day in court,” Zamorano’s lawyer, Kenneth Breen, told reporters.
Beasley and Zamorano were both released on bond. They’re due back in court for a status conference on Aug. 6.
Malik Beasley #5 of the Detroit Pistons reacts in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Little Caesars Arena on April 27, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Getty Images
Beasley is accused of fixing or trying to fix his performance in at least four games while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024 by under or overperforming bookmakers’ expectations. In exchange, the indictment said, the bettors bribed Beasley and his debts to Davis were reduced or eliminated.
“Only way you can beat Vegas is sports betting,” Davis told Beasley in a Jan. 26, 2024, text message, according to the indictment. “Everything else they got the edge.”
In one example, according to the indictment, Beasley told Davis that he would try to outperform the 3.5 line that sportsbooks had set for his rebound total in Milwaukee’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers on March 10, 2024.
With a second left, and the Bucks up by seven points, Beasley challenged a Clippers shot and dashed past four players to grab his fourth rebound and securing a win for the bettors as the horn sounded.
One bettor made a $3,252 profit on a $2,838 wager, the indictment said, and another made a $2,107 profit on wagers totaling $2,400. Other bettors missed out and lost money, mistakenly placing wagers on Beasley to underperform the rebound total because of an apparent miscommunication, the indictment said.
“What’s funny is after he got it he had a big sigh of relief,” a co-conspirator said in a text message, according to the indictment.
Former NBA player Malik Beasley, center, exits Brooklyn federal court, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in New York. AP Photo/Heather Khalifa
Beasley borrowed money from Davis, a former teammate, after racking up millions of dollars in gambling losses. His widely reported financial problems include disputes with a Detroit landlord, a Milwaukee barber and a Minnesota dentist. A 2025 lawsuit from a sports marketing agency resulted in a $1 million default judgment against him.
“There’s a bigger conversation here about the industry, about individuals and institutions that are profiting billions and billions of dollars and fueling the addiction,” Goldman said.
Beasley has been aware of the investigation for about a year, Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Weintraub said.
He last played in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons on a one-year, $6 million contract in the 2024-2025 season. He averaged 16 points per game and scored 20 in his last game, a playoff loss to the New York Knicks. He is one of five players in NBA history with more than 300 three-pointers in a season.
Beasley’s release was secured by his parents, actors Michael and Deena Beasley, who joined the arraignment by phone from their home in Georgia. Stone-faced for most of the hourlong proceeding, Beasley laughed at his mother’s answer to Magistrate Judge Taryn Merkl’s question about how often they talk to each other.
“I probably call him every day. He might not answer every day,” Deena Beasley said, prompting chuckles in the courtroom. “If I call him six times a week, he’ll answer five times.”
On today’s episode, Leo Sun returns to the pod with Ryan Eichten to recap the Minnesota Timberwolves’ offseason as NBA Free Agency opens.
— Was the Julius Randle era in Minnesota a failure? The Wolves won three playoff series with Randle, but ultimately had to salary dump him after a poor series against the San Antonio Spurs.
— How cautious should the Wolves be about LaMelo Ball’s health? The Charlotte Hornets limited Ball to just 28 minutes per game, which allowed him to play in 72 games, his most since the 2021-22 season in which Ball made his lone All-Star appearance. Before that, Ball had only played in 105 games the previous three seasons.
— Should the Timberwolves start Jaden McDaniels at power forward and Ayo Dosunmu at small forward, or should they look to add another player in a trade? McDaniels has shown the ability to play the four, but come the Playoffs, that lineup might prove not to have enough size.
— Do the Wolves need to commit to playing Jaylen Clark at least 15 minutes per game after signing him to a three-year, $10 million contract? Clark has been in and out of the rotation during his two healthy seasons with the Wolves and now may be set for more permanent playing time.
— With Ball now on the team and Randle not, the Timberwolves roster makes a lot more sense for Gobert. Minnesota can better involve Gobert in the offense with Ball’s playmaking while better spreading the floor.
— Tim Connelly has made several moves that have not worked out in recent years, including the trades of Rob Dillingham and Karl-Anthony Towns two seasons ago, but the trade for Ball ties everything together and gives the Wolves a much better outlook moving forward.
Walker Kessler checks off all the boxes of an A-list center. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Kessler fits the bill.
According to StatMuse, Kessler is the only starter in NBA history with 10-plus points per game, 10-plus rebounds per game, two-plus blocks per game while shooting 67% or better from the field.
The 24-year-old spent the first four seasons of his NBA career with the Jazz. While Kessler was injured for most of last season, he’s earned a reputation for being one of the league’s premier interior defenders throughout his early career.
The Lakers posted a 116.4 defensive rating last season but proved to be inconsistent during the campaign. Now, general manager Rob Pelinka has addressed a pivotal issue by acquiring Kessler.
Kessler should pair well with Lakers stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Regardless, the Lakers have finally added a legitimate big with a ton of upside. Kessler should pair well with Doncic and Austin Reaves, but the team will need to make additional moves to round out the roster after losing multiple free agents this summer.
July 1 marked the official start of the new league year in the NBA with the start of free agency. The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to improve after a 2025-26 season which saw them finish in first place in the Pacific Division and advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs before getting bounced by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Of course, next year marks the start of a new era for the team. LeBron James is not returning to the team, which leaves a pretty massive hole in their frontcourt. That said, although the new league year has only been active for a day, the Lakers have already made efforts to address their needs.
Los Angeles traded for Utah center Walker Kessler, sending unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 as well as two first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030 in order to bring him to the city of angels.
But that wasn't the only deal the Lakers made today.
The Lakers also signed former Raptors big man Sandro Mamukelashvili to a fully guaranteed four-year, $52 million deal with a player option for the fourth year as well as two guards, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton.
Everyone knows that this organization can make a massive trade or convince a big-time free agent to join them on a moment's notice. With that in mind, here is a full list of the Lakers' offseason transactions.
Lakers trade for center Walker Kessler (two first-round picks, two first-round pick swaps)
Walker Kessler stats:
Kessler played in just five games for the Jazz in 2025-26, sidelined for most of the year with a shoulder injury. In his last full season, Kessler averaged over 11 points per game and actually led the league in offensive rebounds per game with 4.6.
Lakers sign Sandro Mamukelashvili to a four-year, $52 million deal
Sandro Mamukelashvili stats:
Mamukelashvili played in 80 games for the Raptors, providing crucial minutes off the bench for a team that massively exceeded expectations during the regular season. He averaged 11.2 points per game on 52.3% shooting while grabbing 4.9 boards per game. Mamukelashvili's efforts last season earned him tenth place in Sixth Man of the Year award voting.
Lakers sign Quentin Grimes to a four-year, $60 million deal
Quentin Grimes stats:
Grimes worked primarily as an off-the-bench scoring option for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, averaging 13.4 points per game on 45% shooting. Grimes endured one of the worst 3-point shooting performances of his career last season, shooting a career-low 33.4% from beyond the arc. That said, he has shot over 38% from deep in three of his five seasons in the league, so a bounce-back is expected.
Lakers sign Collin Sexton to a two-year, $19 million deal
Collin Sexton stats:
Sexton is an elite scorer, but struggles with playmaking and inconsistent defense. That said, he's great at what he does, which is getting buckets. Last year, he averaged 15.4 points per game during his time with the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls. He did that with an effective field goal percentage over 55%, thanks in large part to his lethal 3-point ability, where he's shot over 40% each of the last two seasons.
Will LeBron James return to Lakers for 2026-27?
James will not return to the Lakers next season. Reports indicate that James informed the Lakers of his decision to go elsewhere on June 30.
James is now open to signing with other teams going into his 24th season.
Brown had been the subject of trade rumors in recent weeks, reported to have been offered to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Celtics' bid to land Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Brown is coming off one of his best individual seasons, finishing sixth in the regular season MVP voting.
He was asked to take on the starring role for a good portion of the season while co-star Jayson Tatum was kept away from live-game action for nearly 300 days due to an Achilles tendon rupture suffered in the 2025 playoffs. Brown averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 71 games played this past season.
What may be most shocking is that the Celtics traded Brown to another Eastern Conference team, let alone a longtime, Atlantic Division rival.
Brown has clashed with the 76ers for years, including in recent months when Philly successfully eliminated Boston in Game 7 of their opening-round series in early May.
The Sixers managed to get younger at the position by adding the 29-year-old Brown. He also adds championship experience and the ability to play on the biggest stage, earning NBA Finals MVP in 2024.
Philadelphia also boosts its chances to come out of the Eastern Conference, placing Brown in a starting lineup alongside Embiid, V.J. Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey.
Grade: B+
Boston Celtics
Boston did receive a haul of draft picks, but the trade is an overall miss. Not only do the Celtics add a player (George) with injury concerns to the roster, but they also missed out on a chance to get younger for the upcoming season.
General manager Brad Stevens and the Celtics didn't acquire a younger talent like Edgecombe, who was impressive as a rookie this past season. Edgecombe finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting.
George averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 37 games played this past season. He missed part of the season after being hit with a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.
DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 22: Santi Aldama #7 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball as Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks defends during the first half at American Airlines Center on November 22, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
According to reports from both Shams Charania and Marc Stein, the Dallas Mavericks have made a trade for Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama. Dallas sends a top-20 protected Golden State Warriors first-round pick and a pair of future second-round picks. The Mavericks will absorb Aldama’s $17 million salary by way of the $20 million trade exception created when Dallas traded Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards earlier this year. Dallas is also sending AJ Johnson to Memphis.
The Memphis Grizzlies are trading Santi Aldama to the Dallas Mavericks for AJ Johnson, a protected 2030 Warriors first-round pick and two future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/ctrDPu0tcC
The 7 foot tall, 215 pound power forward was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2021. During his five seasons, he’s played 278 regular season games, averaging 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists. While he played just 43 games last season, sitting the rest of the regular season following a knee procedure, he averaged career highs, scoring 14, grabbing nearly seven rebounds, and dishing just under three assists per game in nearly 28 minutes per game.
The Mavericks, continuing to focus on trades early in the offseason, are using their $20.3 million trade exception generated by trading Anthony Davis to Washington in February to acquire Memphis' Santi Aldama.
Aldama is an average three-point shooter, hitting just under 35% from distance in his career. But he’s also a willing one, taking around five per game last season. Though it’s unclear at the moment how exactly he fits into the Dallas roster, the Mavericks will be playing at a faster pace next season according to new head coach Dusty May, so it stands to reason they’ll be letting shots fly too.
Locked in Maverick fans may remember him from a scuffle with Cooper Flagg following an Aldama trip.
Dallas does have a bit of a forward logjam at the moment, so one has to wonder what other moves are coming next, if any. At least potential new guard Sergio De Larrea with a fellow Spaniard on the team. The two have been at camp together for the Spanish National team but I do not think they’ve played on it in any major tournaments, perhaps just a friendly match or two. Either way, there is familiarity there.
Johnson leaves Dallas without making much of an impression, playing in 23 games last year while shooting a dismal 32% from the floor. After just 2 seasons and 77 total NBA games, I am fairly certain he is not a NBA player and would be surprised if he’s on any roster next season.
Overall, without knowing about any future moves, this one seems solid. Aldama has a team option next year, and considering he’s just 25 years old, this seems like a low-risk roster move with plenty of potential upside.
It all started to go south when word leaked that the Boston Celtics were willing to trade Jaylen Brown if it meant landing Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Boston's package ended up not being enough to get a deal done, but the toothpaste was now out of the tube. Brown didn't feel wanted, that relationship was irreparably damaged. Boston was scrambling to find another trade for Brown. Except, it was finding the market lukewarm, especially considering how well Brown played the season before, finishing sixth in MVP voting (Brown's massive contract, with three years and $183 million left on it, was concerning teams in the Apron era).
It led to an unexpected blockbuster deal.
Boston is trading Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks, a trade first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN and since confirmed by other sources. The details on the picks are a 2028 first-rounder that can convert to a swap if that's more favorable to Boston, and an unprotected 2031 Philadelphia first-rounder.
Boston trading Brown, at the peak of his powers, to a division rival is stunning. That Boston got a smaller return for Brown at his peak than the Clippers just got for 35-year-old Kawhi Leonard is something Brad Stevens has to answer for.
This trade is a big win for Philadelphia's new head of basketball operations, Mike Gansey.
Philadelphia has been dreaming of getting out from under the Paul George contract, who, at age 36, is owed $54.1 million this coming season and includes a player option for $56.6 million for next season (which he likely picks up). It's not only the money (Brown is owed more), it's the value on what is being paid out. George, 36, played in only 37 games last season — he missed 25 due to a suspension for violating the league's drug policy — and has had lingering injury issues. George was considered to be on one of the worst contracts in the NBA.
When healthy, George is still a good, high-IQ player, but not the elite force he was in his prime. Last season, in the 37 games he played, George averaged 17.3 points a game, although he did shoot 39.2% from 3-point range. George and Jayson Tatum form a quality forward combination, and they have talent around them, including the just-picked-up Mitchell Robinson at the five. But Brown and Tatum won a title together, and this feels like a step back from the 2024 championship squad. On paper, it's tough to see this team beating New York or Detroit (or maybe Indiana or Philly) in a seven-game playoff series.
Philadelphia replaces George with Brown, who averaged a career-best 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game while playing high-level defense last season leading Boston to the No. 2 seed in the East.
The 76ers now roll out a starting lineup that includes Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Brown, and if they get anything from Joel Embiid, they are a threat to win the East.
Philadelphia will enter the season as a legitimate threat to win the East — that is the definition of winning a trade.
More than a day after James revealed he was moving on from the Lakers, Reaves took to his Instagram Stories to wish his pal well.
LeBron James #23 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers smile during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 7, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images
“Thank you for everything,” Reaves said in a caption on three images of he and James sharing the court together.
“See you on the golf course soon brother!”
Austin Reaves wished LeBron James well on his Instagram page on Wednesday. austinreaves12
Reaves’ delay in acknowledging James’ departure caught the attention of many, considering the headlines Rich Paul made in January when he suggested on his podcast that the Lakers trade Reaves.
Rich Paul says if he ran the Lakers, he would call Memphis Grizzlies to trade for Jaren Jackson Jr for a package with Austin Reaves
“If I was the Lakers I would be targeting the Memphis Grizzlies as a trade partner for Jaren Jackson… If you’re building around Luka you need… pic.twitter.com/vEj647cWfT
James’ agent said on “Game Over” that he believed the Lakers sending Reaves to Memphis in exchange for Jaren Jackson Jr. would make them a better team.
The clip made so many waves, Reaves’ agent, Reggie Berry of AMR Agency, reportedly approached Paul at a game and spoke with him about the remarks for several minutes.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2024 Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2024 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NBAE via Getty Images
“I think you all know by now, Rich is his own man and what Rich says is not a direct reflection of me and how I feel,” James said. “And I hope people know that. I hope people know that and if they’re not sensible to know that, then I don’t know what to tell them.”
With his post on Wednesday, Reaves — who’s been teammates with James the past five seasons — joined several other Lakers who penned heartfelt goodbyes to the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Luka Doncic wrote on Instagram that it was “an honor to play with and learn from” James. Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia and Jaxson Hayes all also sent out social media tributes to the future Hall of Famer.
It’s not yet known where James will play next — though the Warriors, Heat, Cavaliers and Timberwolves have been considered the favorites in the early goings of free agency.
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) drives against San Antonio Spurs’ AP
On paper, the Spurs made plenty of sense.
Victor Wembanyama is already one of the best players in the league and has quickly turned San Antonio into a legitimate contender.
Pairing him with James would have created one of the NBA’s most fascinating cross-generational duos: the defining superstar of the last 20 years alongside the player many expect to define the next 10.
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
James could have given the Spurs another playmaker, a veteran postseason organizer and a mentor for Wembanyama as San Antonio tries to move from exciting young contender to championship team.
But free agency is not about storybook fits.
Rich Paul recently said James’ decision is being guided by “complete happiness,” which means his final choice will include a wide range of basketball and non-basketball factors.
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on NBAE via Getty Images
Paul also said he has spoken to “about 12-14 teams,” meaning almost half the league has at least been part of the conversation. He described James’ ideal landing spot as one where he can compete for a championship with players who understand high-level basketball.
With the Spurs seemingly stepping aside, the remaining rumors narrow. Golden State, Cleveland, Miami, Minnesota and Denver have all been connected to James in some form.
United States forward LeBron James and guard Stephen Curry celebrate USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Golden State offers the dream pairing with Stephen Curry, turning one of the league’s great rivalries into a must-watch partnership built on shooting, passing and championship experience.
Cleveland offers the emotional full-circle ending, with James returning home for one final run around an already strong Cavaliers core.
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Miami offers history and star power, especially if a trio of James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo is somehow in play.
Minnesota offers a version of the Spurs’ appeal, with Anthony Edwards giving James a young superstar partner on a team already built to contend.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) hug USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Denver may be the most entertaining basketball fit of all, with James alongside Nikola Jokic and the rest of the Nuggets’ core conjuring video-game-level possibilities.
ABU DHABI, UAE - OCTOBER 3: Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics interacts with the kids at the NBA Cares Clinic as part of 2024 NBA Global Games Abu Dhabi at Etihad Arena on October 3, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics have officially traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and draft compensation. It’s a move that will be scrutinized by many for its underwhelming basketball return.
On the court, the organization parts ways with a five-time All-Star and a former Finals MVP, a player who has been one of their franchise cornerstones for nearly a decade.
On the court, the Celtics lose a player who finished 6th in MVP voting last season, and someone who helped lead the team to six conference Finals appearances, two Finals, and one title. Without question, Brown is one of the NBA’s elite scorers, and — as he pointed out in a Tweet on Saturday — no one has won more combined regular-season and playoff games than him since he entered the league.
On the court, it will be hard for the Celtics to replace his production, and the basketball implications of the trade remain to be seen.
On the court, Brown departs as one of just six Finals MVPs in franchise history.
But off the court, Brown’s impact is even more profound and hard to measure. Since he arrived in Boston, Brown decided he wanted to make an impact in the community, connect with the kids who live in the city, and invest in entrepreneurs and creators from underrepresented groups. He launched multiple endeavors — first the 7uice Foundation, and later Boston XChange — immersed himself in the city, and became a fixture in the community.
Basketball pundits can debate the franchise’s return in the trade all they want, but no matter how you slice it, there’s an off-court component to the transaction that will be difficult, perhaps impossible, to quantify.
But, let’s take a quick look at it.
Jaylen Brown’s legacy begins with the 7uice Foundation
Jaylen Brown launched the 7uice Foundation in 2019 to bridge the opportunity gap for youth in underserved communities. The foundation houses the Bridge program, an educational, week-long camp for youth from the Greater Boston Area, as well as several other endeavors meant to promote education.
Throughout my three seasons covering Brown, I attended the majority of his many off-court events and routinely observed one thing: no matter how busy his schedule got, he spent hours on end with kids eager to meet with him, asking them questions, getting to know them, and for the extent of their interactions, making them feel like the most important people in the room.
In February, Brown hosted a first-of-its-kind college fair in Roxbury. Ambassadors from Harvard, MIT, Dartmouth, Hampton, and other universities were in attendance, as were various internship and job programs. Brown estimated over 100 different partners came to the Boys and Girls Club for the event, all with the intent of showing the local youth their futures hold plenty of options, even “when people, or society, are counting on them to fail.”
“[The goal was] just to take a bunch of resources and bring them to a place that typically doesn’t have the same access,” Brown said.
The Celtics star regularly partnered with higher education institutions and community groups. Last year, on Juneteenth, he gifted sneakers to students at the Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club in Dorchester. He had his shoe and apparel line, 741 Performance, partnered with a marketing class at Babson College and worked directly with undergraduate students in the program.
Jaylen Brown worked to immerse himself in the Boston community
Over the years, Brown regularly visited schools across Boston, sometimes on camera, and more often more under-the-radar.
Andrea Swain, the Boys and Girls Club’s chief impact officer, noted that Brown’s involvement in the community is nothing new.
“He’s been doing it since he arrived in Boston,” she told CelticsBlog. “He’s everywhere. He’s been at some of the playgrounds in Roxbury — he’s an active, engaged figure, and a lot of stuff he does is off camera. He’ll come and give out turkeys in the community, give encouragement.”
Last summer, after the Celtics second-round elimination to the New York Knicks, Brown took it upon himself to surprise students at five schools across Roxbury, andDorchester.
“People couldn’t stop talking about it, I can’t even lie,” Jaylon Mason, a graduating senior at Brooke High School, told CelticsBlog after Brown visited his school. “It’s the equivalent of, like, sitting on your bed and eating cereal, watching TV, and like, Obama comes in.”
With the Bridge Program, Brown left his deepest imprint
In 2021, amid the Covid pandemic, Brown launched the Bridge program. Last summer, he let me attend the interdisciplinary program, which centered on robotics, artificial intelligence, climate change, food insecurity, data visualization, and a range of other topics. Hundreds of students from across the city attended for free.
“I wanted to send the kids who are helpful in their community, who seem to care, who want to strive to help and touch others,” Brown told me as the camp neared its conclusion. “I wanted to bring 100+ kids together, who all kind of had the same mentality.”
Brown attended the entirety of Bridge, all while rehabbing from his offseason knee surgery. He explained that he felt a prerogative to give back to the community given the immense power he has as a professional athlete.
“Even in a city like Boston, some of our most prominent figures in sports are more influential than any of the political leaders here,” Brown said. “So, exposing [students] to building life skills, and at the same time, building leadership skills — the combination of those two can make some really good human beings.”
He credits his grandmother for teaching him from a young age that he had to work hard to make an impact: “The quote that I would say that encapsulates that is: There are a bunch of people who complain about society, but do little to contribute to it. And my grandma was like, ‘You’re not gonna be one of those people.’ You can’t live in a community for 10 years plus, and have contributed nothing outside of whatever business you’re doing.”
Brown and his mother, Mechalle, are working to turn the Bridge program into a year-long program.
Jaylen Brown uplifted entrepreneurs via Boston XChange
Jaylen Brown launched Boston XChange with teammate Jrue Holiday in 2024. The XChange is an incubator that each year provides $100,000 in funding, as well as transformative resources, to ten businesses led by entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities. The XChange just finished accepting applications for its second cohort.
Among those businesses is the Future Masters Chess Academy, a chess program aimed at supporting underserved youth across the state. Brown met Lawyer Times, the academy’s founder and a lifelong chess player, a decade ago, and they hit it off due to their mutual love for the game.
“We talked about our missions and our vision – and they aligned,” Times told CelticsBlog. “He wants young people, especially from underrepresented communities, to use their minds, not just to be thought of as athletes.”
The Academy has received so much support and investment from Boston XChange that Times was able to retire from his job at the U.S. Post Office after 40 years.
Last year, Brown hosted the chess academy – alongside the nine other first-year grant recipients – for an intimate dinner at his apartment. They sat at family-style tables, and Brown spent all evening getting to know each of the entrepreneurs on a personal level.
“It was phenomenal – just being right there, talking to him once again, talking about our mission,” Times said. “His mind is so next level. And he was telling me about how this is an opportunity right now to really change the narrative in so many ways.”
Jaylen Brown wants to be remembered for his off-court work
When I attended the Bridge program last summer, Jaylen Brown explained to me that he had been working hard to ensure that all of his philanthropic endeavors could be self-sustaining without him. And, though the majority of his free time was spent in the gym, rehabbing from knee surgery and working on his game, Brown felt his most important contributions to Boston came far from the court.
“Yeah, I play for the Celtics,” Brown said. “Yeah, I started businesses here. But I’ve also been in the community. I’ve been in the Boys and Girls Clubs. I’ve connected with people. I spend time. People know me by name because I spend time in the community.”
“Sports are very powerful. But there are other things that are more important.”
The Nets rounded out their center rotation Tuesday, agreeing to a two-year, $19 million deal with Moritz Wagner.
Trading away Nic Claxton had created a glaring hole and elevated the newly re-signed Day’Ron Sharpe to presumptive starter. Now the 29-year-old Wagner will back up — or perhaps platoon with — Sharpe.
The deal — first reported by HoopsHype and confirmed by The Post — is similar to the one agreed to with Keon Ellis the night before, and has a second-year mutual option. In essence, either side can opt in to the deal, trigger the second year and fully guarantee the remaining $9 million. But if both sides opt out, Wagner would become an unrestricted free agent again next summer.
Ellis’ deal provided a defensive-minded guard. Wagner’s pact now provides help on the other end of the floor, though no shot blocking. Rim protection was already an Achilles’ heel for the Nets even with Claxton. Settling on a Sharpe-Wagner tandem makes them worse in that area.
But Nets GM Sean Marks likely looked at the centers available — in both free agency and on the trade market — and made cost-effective signings in Wagner and Sharpe (two years, $20 million), whose contract looks better in light of the inflated center market.
Ex-Knick Mitchell Robinson was likely the only shot-blocker available to them, but he inked with a contender in Boston while the Nets are rebuilding. Walker Kessler ($32.5 million annual salary), Robinson ($15.8 million), Jock Landale ($14 million) and Sandro Mamukelashvili ($13 million) all signed hefty deals. And Jalen Duren hasn’t even gotten his lucrative contract yet, but will be well paid.
The Nets have signed Mortiz Wagner. Getty Images
Instead, the Nets went with a cheaper floor-raiser. It does take them out of the running for a max salary slot, but leaves them with just under $25 million in cap space if they structure one of their signings into the room mid-level exception.
That projection doesn’t include the Claxton-Julius Randle swap, which won’t be official until Monday. The Nets could spend that amount, then trade Claxton. They would still have to include another small salary with Claxton to make the salary-matching math work. They’re $917,000 short, per Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron.
Orlando’s signing of Nikola Vucevic essentially ended Wagner’s time with the Magic, and playing alongside his younger brother Franz.
The older Wagner brother averaged 6.9 points and 3.2 rebounds in just 11.9 minutes last season, logging 36 appearances after coming back from a torn ACL the prior year.
Wagner had averaged 11.1 points and 4.5 boards in 18.5 minutes over the prior three seasons combined for Orlando, on .560/.329/.802 shooting splits. While certainly not a pure stretch five, he spaces the floor better than Sharpe or Claxton. He brings energy and mobility, though not a hint of rim protection.
Brooklyn will need to either find that at another position — and Randle is set to start at power forward — or compensate by pressuring the ball farther up the court. Neither Sharpe, Wagner nor second-year pro Danny Wolf is a shot-blocker, and the interior defense may suffer.
Brooklyn still has ample cap space and the most tradable future first-round picks in the league. One thing they could do with their cap room is give Michael Porter Jr. a raise for the upcoming season in a renegotiation and extension.
The Nets also have a glut of guards, with Ellis’ skill set not only replacing the departed Ziaire Williams but perhaps making Terance Mann redundant. Could they make a trade to consolidate and add on the wing?
Houston’s Tari Eason and Denver’s Peyton Watson are restricted free agents, with the latter vacationing in France with Porter to celebrate his former Nuggets teammate’s 28th birthday.
And if Orlando ever decides to break up their core with Paolo Banchero and the younger Wagner being a poor fit, having the German star’s older sibling on the roster could be a boon for Brooklyn.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 01: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts during warmups before a game against the Houston Rockets at the TD Garden on November 01, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers acquired Brown for Paul George, a 2031 unprotected first-round draft pick, a 2028 first-round draft pick that could convert to a swap that is more favorable to Boston, and two second round picks, according to Shams Charania. The Sixers weren’t included on our initial list of Brown trade candidates because it was hard to believe Boston would trade him to the team that just knocked them out of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. It really happened.
The Sixers are now in position to compete for the Eastern Conference title if Joel Embiid can stay healthy. The Celtics are taking a step back now to take a step forward later. Let’s grade this trade for both sides.
Celtics grade for Jaylen Brown trade
The Celtics were reportedly asking teams for four first-round picks back for Brown. They settled for a lot less in this package from Philly.
Brown is about to turn 30 years old, and he’s coming off the best season of his career where he earned Second-Team All-NBA honors. He led the Celtics to 56 wins as Jayson Tatum recovered from a torn Achilles, and called it the most satisfying year of his career despite being named 2024 NBA Finals MVP as he helped the Celtics to a championship. Brown never asked out. So, why did the Celtics trade him for what feels like a disappointing package?
The Celtics decided they couldn’t keep the status quo after being eliminated in the first-round of the 2026 playoffs by the Sixers. Brown is owed a ton of money with three years and more than $180 million remaining on his deal. Boston wanted to clear payroll, and they clearly thought this was the time to deal Brown coming off such a productive season.
It’s a stunning decision. Brown and Tatum led the Celtics to the 2024 championship. Why not give them one more year with Tatum back for a full season? Obviously, Brad Stevens didn’t think Boston was good enough to win a championship as presently constructed, and he decided to blow it up. This would make more sense to me if Boston got a better trade package back. Instead, this return is highly underwhelming.
Paul George has two years, $110 million remaining on his deal. His play has fallen off hard the last couple seasons, and it’s hard to envision him matching Brown’s production. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Celtics looked to flip him, too. The 2031 first-round pick is a nice trade chip. Boston will probably try to include that in an offer for a superstar within the next few years. For now, the Celtics are likely to take a step back as other Eastern Conference contenders rise.
Brown is a polarizing player. I called him one of the worst contracts in the league coming into last season. The Celtics were better with him off the floor last season. Still, Brown is one of the most durable and productive stars in the league. He’s really good even if he probably isn’t worth his max contract. This is a really courageous trade for Brad Stevens. I want to like it, but I just don’t think the value coming back is good enough.
Grade: C+
76ers grade for Jaylen Brown trade
I can’t believe the Sixers pulled this off. New lead executive Mike Gansey is swinging for the fences out of the gate, and he acquired a star in his prime that could push Philly to the top of the Eastern Conference.
Brown joins Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe on the perimeter. Embiid is still in the middle, and the Sixers signed Dean Wade to be their new power forward in free agency. Add in rookie Labaron Philon, forwards Justin Edwards and Dominick Barlow, and center Adem Bona, and the Sixers believe they have an outline of a title team. I think this bench is super weak, and that’s a bad sign because the latest NBA champions have relied quite a bit on depth. There’s still time for the Sixers to make more moves, of course.
This starting five is as good as any in the league on paper. The game isn’t played on paper. It will be fascinating to see how Brown’s game mixes with Maxey’s. Embiid’s health hangs over the whole team, and it’s hard to think he can last for an entire playoff run. Still, the Sixers gave themselves a championship ceiling with this move, and the price wasn’t that high to get it. The biggest risk Philly is taking on is Brown’s contract. I think it’s worth it. The Sixers can push the Knicks and Raptors in the East next season. It’s time for Philly to finally make a deep playoff run.
The Lakers have been extremely aggressive in free agency this offseason after superstar Luka Dončić relayed his desire for major roster improvements heading into the 2026-27 season.
But general manager Rob Pelinka quickly countered with multiple signings Wednesday headlined by Walker Kessler, who inked a four-year, $130 million deal with LA after the team acquired the center from the Utah Jazz in a trade.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has been busy reconstructing the roster this offseason. Getty Images
Are those moves enough to put the Lakers into contender status?
Many would argue Pelinka’s job is far from over this offseason, which is concerning given the Lakers’ limited cap space wouldn’t allow the team to make another free agent signing. The team could add a veteran player on a league minimum deal but not much more than that.
Now, the Lakers are being linked to free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. The 23-year-old player spent the first four seasons of his career with the Golden State Warriors before Kuminga was traded to the Atlanta Hawks prior to the 2026 trade deadline.
The Lakers can create about $7 million in cap space if they waive and stretch Vando’s contract. That would give them the flexibility to make an offer for Jonathan Kuminga.
LAL already had legitimate interest in Kuminga earlier this year. If Rob can somehow pull this off, he’d be… pic.twitter.com/NZbse8Jigu
Jonathan Kuminga spent the first four seasons of his career with the Warriors. Now, there’s a chance he could join the Lakers. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Kuminga is coming off of a 2025-26 season in which he averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He shot 46.3% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. The Lakers were previously interested in Kuminga earlier this year, and signing the forward is still a possibility.
After multiple signings Wednesday, the Lakers no longer have the financial flexibility to sign Kuminga. But they could do so by waiving Jarred Vanderbilt. The team would need to free up another $7 million in cap space to orchestrate a potential deal, doing so by stretching Vanderbilt’s contract.
Vanderbilt has emerged as a liability on offense, and his injury history has left his Lakers future in doubt. Now, the Lakers have even more of a reason to part ways with the forward.
Signing Kuminga would perhaps complete the Lakers’ offseason, but it remains uncertain whether Pelinka can orchestrate such a deal.
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Given how things were trending this offseason, Jaylen Brown's time in Boston coming to an end is unsurprising. However, few, if any, expected the five-time All-Star to remain in the Atlantic Division. That's what has reportedly happened, with the Celtics sending Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George, two future first-round picks and two future second-round picks.
BLOCKBUSTER: The Boston Celtics have agreed to trade Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/xNcNlIV2mh
Despite Brown coming off the most productive individual season of his NBA career, the Celtics reportedly struggled to drum up interest on the trade market after their failed attempt to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Bucks. So, Brown heads to Philadelphia, with the Celtics receiving four future picks and George's cumbersome contract. Let's look at how this trade will affect fantasy basketball next season.
As noted above, the 2025-26 season was the best of Brown's career in terms of individual production. In 72 games, he either matched or set career highs in points (28.7), rebounds (6.9) and assists (5.1), while also tallying 1.0 steals and 2.0 three-pointers. Shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 79.5 percent from the foul line, Brown was a second-team All-NBA selection.
However, a big reason for his increased production was the absence of Jayson Tatum, who did not make his 2025-26 debut until March after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Add in the departures of Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford, and there was a greater need for Brown to take over offensively.
In Philadelphia, he'll take on the starting small forward role in a lineup that includes Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe. Brown's usage is likely to suffer, and the same may be true for Edgecombe, but the wild card is Embiid's availability.
With the 7-footer having appeared in 39 or fewer games in each of the last three seasons, fantasy managers have to assume that at least one extended absence is in the cards for the former league MVP. That's where players like Brown and Edgecombe may be able to compensate for any decrease in usage they may experience when the 76ers are whole.
Boston receives:
Paul George
Two future first-round picks
Two future second-round picks
George's two seasons in Philadelphia were marred by injuries, with the nine-time All-Star appearing in only 78 regular-season games. And his production was not on par with what many fantasy managers and basketball fans expected of him. In 37 games last season, George averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.7 three-pointers while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 82.0 percent from the foul line.
Even with the draft picks received, this is a shocking trade by the Celtics, especially given George's recent injury history and the fact that he turned 36 in May (Brown turns 30 in October).
Wednesday's transaction puts more responsibility on Tatum, who played in 16 regular-season games and missed Game 7 of Boston's first-round series against Philadelphia due to a knee issue. If he goes into next season fully healthy, there may not be too much concern, but the Celtics are taking a major risk.
Derrick White, who has long been a reliable option in category leagues, should also see his fantasy value rise, provided he shoots the ball better than he did last season. Young wings Hugo González and Baylor Scheierman won't be players worth targeting in most drafts, but there may be times when they have added streaming value.
Raphielle Johnson