The Celtics made a stunning move on Wednesday night, sending All-Star Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks (2028, 2031) and two second-round picks (2030, 2031). The move brings a sudden end to Brown’s 10-year stint with the franchise in what amounts to a large gamble by Brad Stevens in reshaping this team moving forward.

The deal comes after Boston already added two more players via free agency on Wednesday in Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley Jr., reshaping the roster heading into the 2026-27 season. Let’s take a look at the aftermath of the Brown deal and Boston’s other moves to see what options the Celtics have at their disposal this offseason.

2026-27 Celtics roster payroll

Jayson Tatum: $58.4 million

Paul George: $54.1 million (could be bumped up depending on trade kicker)

Derrick White: $30.3 million

Mitchell Robinson: $15 million

Sam Hauser: $10.8 million

Payton Pritchard: $7.7 million

Chris Cenac Jr.: $2.98 million

Hugo Gonzalez: $2.9 million

Luka Garza: $2.8 million

Dalano Banton: $2.8 million

Baylor Scheierman: $2.7 million

Neemias Queta: $2.6 million

Ron Harper Jr.: $2.6 million

Jordan Walsh: $2.4 million

Mike Conley Jr.: $2.4 million

Total Payroll: $201 million

Analysis: The Celtics remain over the luxury tax line ($200.4 million) just barely but that can be rectified quickly by releasing Banton, who is on a non-guaranteed deal. Dillon Mitchell and Amari Williams are also expected to be on two-way contracts for the Celtics next season. George also does have a trade kicker in his deal, it’s unclear if he will waive it as part of the swap.

Boston is still hard capped at first apron ($209 million)

The Celtics trimmed their payroll by about $3 million in the Brown deal, giving themselves a bit more breathing room under the first apron ($209 million). The Celtics created a hard cap by using the full mid-level exception on Mitchell Robinson in free agency.

The Celtics now have five tradable first-round picks

The draft compensation was underwhelming for Brown compared to what the team originally aimed for in multiple reports. However, the team did replenish its draft cabinet again in the swap. Boston now owns eight future first -round picks even though its 2032 first-round pick remains frozen for now due to second apron restrictions from 2023 and 2024.

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The Celtics are eligible to trade five of their first-round picks in any deal. They still owe a 2029 first-round pick to the Blazers from the Jrue Holiday deal and a 2028 first-round pick swap to the Spurs (top-1 protected) via the Derrick White trade.

Spending power in trades and free agency

Boston can still offer the $5.5 million bi-annual exception to free agents along with the veteran’s minimum. The team also holds a $27.5 million traded player exception along with several other smaller exceptions. However, they can’t be fully utilized due to the first apron hard cap ($209 million) this season without Boston trimming additional salary elsewhere.

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