Celtics’ Jaylen Brown trade looks even worse after LeBron James’ decision

The sports world was stunned and excited about Friday’s bombshell news regarding LeBron James. One of the two greatest players of all time is joining the Philadelphia 76ers in pursuit of a final NBA championship. 

Joining the Sixers makes all the sense in the world. James moves back to the Eastern Conference, which will be wide open with contenders. On paper, this roster is the most talented in the East and maybe the league. 

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One factor that needs attention is the Boston Celtics side of things. Boston never had any chance at LeBron; that was obvious. That’s not why the Celtics are a huge part of this, though.

76ers don’t land LeBron James without Jaylen Brown trade

The Brown trade wasn’t bad enough, moving on after the best year of his career. Finishing top six in MVP voting, Brown carried the Celtics to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference while Jayson Tatum was out.

After the Celtics couldn’t land Giannis Antetokounmpo, they settled. Trading for Paul George and two first-round picks was an underwhelming haul to say the least. Now the trade looks even worse because James joins Philadelphia. 

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When James entered free agency, the Sixers weren’t in the reported fold of teams who had a chance to land him.

That changed after the Brown trade, though, which was confirmed by Rich Paul on the Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman. James said himself that money and family weren’t part of this decision, just basketball. 

Boston’s road to another title only got harder

If James were to have gone east, it likely would’ve been Cleveland or Miami. Both teams would be solid in their own rights, but the Celtics would’ve been favored over them as well, and rightfully so. 

Then the Golden State option would’ve meant the Celtics wouldn’t have to deal with James at all because the Warriors wouldn’t have been contenders at all, and they’re not in the same conference. 

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Boston already seemed a little too desperate to let Brown go after the trade. The ripple effect it had may leave Boston unable to contend for the foreseeable future, as Philadelphia has formed a five-headed monster. 

Jayson Tatum will have more burden thrown on him than ever before. Coming off an Achilles injury, Tatum did have spurts where he looked like himself. Now a full season will show just how much Tatum will look like himself.

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