Forget all the chatter about the Boston Celtics coming out on the losing end of the trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason, because Boston itself has a totally different take. The prevailing thought might be one thing, but the Celtics reportedly believe Paul George can be a key piece for them, and they are not shy about it. Jay King of The Athletic reported that during NBA Summer League conversations in Las Vegas, the Celtics "sounded convinced" that George "still has some high-level basketball left to contribute."
Why Boston Is Betting Big on PG
You gotta wonder what makes them so sure, right? Well, King added that multiple people within the Celtics organization brought up George's strong play against Boston in last season's playoffs as a potential reason for their belief in his ability to effectively replace Brown. George was an absolute problem for them back then, a real driving force behind Philly's upset of Boston in the first round of last season's playoffs. He wasn't just scoring either. During that series, he averaged 17.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.1 three-pointers made, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Plus, his shooting splits were electric, hitting 48.9 percent from the field and a ridiculous 55.0 percent from beyond the arc. The guy was also hugely responsible for guarding both Brown and Jayson Tatum, who were the Celtics' top two offensive players last season. That kind of two-way impact is exactly what they are looking for.
The Elephant in the Room: Injuries and Production Dip
But let's not pretend it's all sunshine and rainbows. George is 36 years old, and while he boasts nine career All-Star selections, injuries have been a massive issue for him lately. The dude has reached the 60-game mark only once in the past seven seasons. He was limited to 41 games in 2024-25 and just 37 games last season. That's a huge red flag, no denying it. His offensive production has taken a hit too, averaging 16.2 points per game in 2024-25 and 17.3 points per game last season. That’s a pretty big drop from his prime, averaging 23.6 points per game from 2015 to 2024. Let's be clear: George is an entirely different player than Brown at this point, and there is little doubt Boston will see a dip in overall offensive production. Brown finished sixth in NBA MVP voting last season for crying out loud. That's a huge void to fill.
So, what's the play here? George is the one piece acquired in the Brown trade, alongside some draft picks, who will be tasked with immediately stepping in. The big bet from Boston seems to be on his defensive prowess and his ability to complement Tatum, Derrick White, and the rest of the crew. If he can stay healthy, George could absolutely help improve the team defense. That's the "if" that makes this whole thing so fascinating. The big question hanging over Beantown now is whether that health holds up, and if George really can defy the stats to step into Jaylen Brown's massive shoes. Every single game this season will be a test of that conviction.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.