Paul George Ready to Prove Self After Controversial Trade for Jaylen Brown

Paul George discussed joining the Celtics following a July trade that sent 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia.

Paul George addressed the Boston media on Tuesday following a July trade that sent 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for the 36-year-old forward. George, a nine-time All-Star entering his 20th NBA season, joins a roster featuring Jayson Tatum, who is returning for his first full campaign since tearing an Achilles tendon in May 2025. The Celtics also introduced 38-year-old Mike Conley and shored up the frontcourt with Mitchell Robinson, who recently won a title with the New York Knicks.

George stated he has moved past recent injury struggles, including knee surgery performed prior to last season. He is expected to start alongside Tatum, while Conley will provide depth behind Derrick White and Payton Pritchard. Robinson, who missed the introductory news conference for personal reasons, is slated to back up starting center Neemias Queta. President of basketball operations Brad Stevens noted that the new acquisitions have already participated in informal summer workouts with returning players at the team's facility.

This roster overhaul follows a postseason where George and the 76ers defeated a shorthanded Celtics team in Game 7 of the first round. Stevens characterized the current offseason as a complete renovation of the group that secured the franchise's 18th championship in 2024. Training camp is scheduled to begin in two weeks, marking the first official sessions for a team that saw its core rotation significantly altered during the summer trade window.