In one of the summer’s most controversial moves, the Boston Celtics decided to trade Jaylen Brown to acquire Paul George. The fans’ reaction was one of confusion, except for the fact that the Celtics and the former Finals MVP of 2024 understood that it was time to part ways.
From that moment, a surrounding buzz has framed Paul George as almost an inevitable mistake in the long and storied history of the Celtics. He knows it and does not shy away from that scenario, emphasizing that he understands what JB meant to the team and its fans.
«I understand my circumstances. I understand how important JB was, not only for the organization but also for the city. So I didn’t take it personally. To be honest, it’s natural that they feel an emotional bond with that trade,» he said during the season introduction, before making clear that he is feeling great physically.
«My job is to seize this great opportunity that has presented itself. Obviously, the last few years have been tough due to injuries. But, personally, I feel very good again. I feel that I have left behind the phase of dealing with injuries and that now I’m regaining my physical level. I know I can translate that onto the court,» he asserts.
With Jayson Tatum as the centerpiece, the Celtics have added other pieces to the project such as Mitchell Robinson or Mike Conley; however, it is clear that success in the 2026-27 season depends almost entirely on the Paul George they will have on the roster by the end of October.
Brad Stevens and a Fresh Start with Paul George
Far from any deep analysis he surely has done for himself, the Celtics president Brad Stevens noted during the season-launch event that for him each season is like a reset that attests to a TD Garden that always gets its own summer makeover.
«That happens every year, roughly at the end of July. And, for me, every time I see it, it looks like the blank canvas of a court that is being completely renovated. No one has stepped on it yet. And now it’s the team’s turn this year to write its own chapter. I’ve felt this way every time,» he concludes.
