Kendrick Perkins castigates the Boston Celtics for trading Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers, saying they handed Philadelphia a trip to the NBA Finals [VIDEO]
The ESPN analyst blasted Boston’s front office for trading Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George and draft picks
Kendrick Perkins ripped the Boston Celtics for trading Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers, calling it “a sad day” and claiming the team essentially handed their Eastern Conference rivals a trip to the NBA Finals. The 78-second clip, posted by @NBA__Courtside, shows the ESPN analyst delivering the blunt assessment during a SportsCenter segment on the blockbuster deal.
The trade, which sent five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia in exchange for Paul George and four draft picks, has drawn sharp criticism from Celtics fans and analysts alike. Kendrick Perkins, a former Celtic who won a championship with the team in 2008. He went after Paul George’s consistency and questioned Boston’s front office decisions.
“Paul George Hasn’t Been Consistently Good Since I Was Skinny:” The Ultimate Insult
Kendrick Perkins delivered his analysis with his characteristic bluntness during the ESPN SportsCenter segment. Wearing a blue blazer and layered chains, he displayed a serious expression as he addressed the trade on-air. The segment featured breaking news graphics, team logos, and stats highlighting Brown’s production.
His comment about Paul George was direct: “Paul George hasn’t been consistently good since I was skinny.” The quip referenced George’s up-and-down performance in recent seasons compared to his peak years. Meanwhile, he also poked fun at his own weight, which is something he does often.
He concluded with a stark prediction: “(Brad Stevens) just basically handed the Philadelphia 76ers a trip to the NBA Finals next year.” The statement reflects Perkins’ belief that the trade dramatically shifts the balance of power in the Eastern Conference, with the 76ers now positioned to compete for a championship.
Jaylen Brown’s Decade in Boston Comes to an End
The Celtics agreed to trade Jaylen Brown, who had spent 10 seasons with the franchise after being drafted third overall in 2016, to the Philadelphia 76ers. In return, Boston received veteran forward Paul George plus two first-round picks and two second-round picks. The picks include a 2028 first-round pick with language allowing it to convert to a pick swap under certain conditions, an unprotected 2031 first-round pick, and second-round selections in 2028 and 2030.
Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, averaged 28.7 points per game in the most recent season. As a result, he finished sixth in MVP voting. He was a cornerstone of the Celtics’ championship aspirations and a fan favorite in Boston. The move comes after the Celtics had previously explored trading Brown in other packages, including rumored deals involving Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The 76ers acquire Brown to pair with their existing core of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The deal positions Philadelphia as a legitimate championship contender. Now, they add Brown’s scoring and two-way ability, which complements Embiid’s dominance and Maxey’s playmaking. Shams Charania was the primary reporter of the agreement, which was pending final league approvals in initial reports but presented as completed or near-finalized in the SportsCenter segment.
Perkins’ Complicated History with the Celtics
Kendrick Perkins’ criticism of the Celtics carries additional weight given his history with the franchise. He was drafted by Boston in 2003 and spent eight seasons with the team, winning an NBA championship in 2008 alongside Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. He was a key contributor on one of the most successful Celtics teams in franchise history.
However, his relationship with the organization has been complicated since his playing days ended. The Celtics traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2011 as part of a deal that brought Jeff Green to Boston. Perkins has openly discussed the hurt he felt from being traded, and his commentary on the franchise has often carried a personal edge.
Perkins has also been critical of the Celtics’ front office decisions in recent years, questioning the team’s direction and roster construction. His comments about the Brown trade fit a pattern of direct, unfiltered criticism of his former team that has drawn both support and backlash from fans.
The ESPN analyst’s championship pedigree gives his analysis credibility, even as his blunt style and sometimes controversial takes have made him a polarizing figure in NBA media. His criticism of the Brown trade is rooted in his understanding of what it takes to win in Boston, making his assessment particularly pointed.
The Celtics’ Return Package Draws Criticism
The Celtics’ return package has been widely criticized as insufficient for a player of Jaylen Brown’s caliber. Paul George, while a former All-Star and established veteran, is in the later stages of his career and has battled injuries in recent seasons. The draft picks offer long-term value but do little to replace Brown’s immediate production.
For the 76ers, the acquisition of Brown creates a formidable trio alongside Embiid and Maxey. Brown’s scoring, defense, and experience complement the existing roster, potentially elevating Philadelphia to the top tier of Eastern Conference contenders. The move signals the 76ers’ commitment to winning now, leveraging their current core to pursue a championship.
The Celtics, meanwhile, face questions about their direction. Trading a homegrown star and Finals MVP for an aging veteran and draft picks suggests a potential rebuilding or retooling phase. The move has been met with anger and disbelief from Celtics fans, many of whom view Brown as a franchise cornerstone. Some reports suggest ownership pressure to dump money may have influenced the deal rather than purely basketball decisions.
On X, Perk was Trashed by Celtics Fans and Hailed by Sixers Fans
There were 98 comments within a short window, where Kendrick Perkins got his criticism handed back to him. Celtics fans expressed anger and disbelief at the trade itself and Perkins’ framing. One user wrote, “Brad Stevens a trade like this is fireable offense. You’ve been great until this dumb trade. You should be on the hot seat if next season turns out to be a disaster.”
Another replied, “[…] you too fat greasy […] […] you’re part of the problem and you’re not a true Celtic which is why they banned you from the championship parade […].” The animosity reflected the emotional response to losing a beloved player. Some fans found irony in Perkins’ criticism, with one user commenting, “Thank god Perk🤡don’t like the trade now I feel better as a C’s fan😂😂”
Sixers fans celebrated the acquisition. “Perk knows ball. Still can’t believe we got JB,” one user wrote, while another commented, “Philly finals. Bet on it fatboy.” Some added caveats, noting, “We still need a healthy Joel Embiid.”
Broader reactions critiqued the analysis itself. “According to Perk – a team that got swept in the second round was a Jaylen Brown acquisition away from 8 more playoff wins, and a Finals berth?!?!?” one user wrote. Another commented, “I don’t remember Perkins ever being skinny,” poking fun at his weight comment.
A smaller number of replies introduced racial dynamics. “Brad Stevens and the Celtics just showed in my opinion that if you a strong Black Man with an Opinion they don’t want you,” one user wrote. “Them choosing the Fairer skinned player over the Dark Skinned player also not a Good look.” Later replies questioned bench depth, future matchups, and whether the 76ers can stay healthy long enough to make a Finals run.
What the Trade Means for Both Teams Going Forward
The trade represents a significant shift in the Eastern Conference landscape. The 76ers, with Brown, Embiid, and Maxey, have a window to compete for championships immediately. The Celtics, by moving Brown, have signaled a potential reset or retooling around younger assets and future draft capital.
The success of the trade will ultimately be determined by on-court results. If Brown thrives in Philadelphia and the 76ers reach the Finals, Perkins’ assessment will be validated. If the Celtics successfully rebuild around the assets they acquired, the criticism may fade.
For now, Perkins’ prediction has added fuel to an already heated debate about the trade. His blunt assessment of the deal, delivered with characteristic lack of filter, has ensured the conversation will continue throughout the offseason. The Eastern Conference, already competitive, now has another compelling storyline as the 2026-27 season approaches.