Jaylen Brown 'still processing' shock trade from Boston Celtics to Philadelphia 76ers

[p]"[b]I'm still processing how this all went down[/b]," [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/brown-jaylen/l88NjhUb/"]Brown[/a] said in a statement posted on social media on Thursday. "[b]I'm excited and disappointed at the same time[/b]."[/p][p]Multiple media outlets reported on Wednesday that Brown had been traded to the Sixers in exchange for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/george-paul/KOvfaZVQ/"]Paul George[/a], two first-round draft picks and two second-round picks.[/p][p]The deal can't be officially announced until Monday as the league observes its one-week free agency negotiating period.[/p][p]Brown, 29, earned NBA Finals Most Valuable Player honours in helping the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/boston-celtics/KYD9hVEm/"]Celtics[/a] to the crown in 2024.[/p][embed guid="d676e613-dfd8-4e13-8ff5-140e51ec8a96" url="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2072443555113468324" social-type="twitter" /][p]He is coming off a career season in which he averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game to keep the Celtics in contention despite the absence of star teammate [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/tatum-jayson/t4Y4e7r0/"]Jayson Tatum[/a] as he recovered from an Achilles injury.[/p][p]But Brown's future in Boston was thrown into question when the Celtics reportedly attempted to trade him to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/milwaukee-bucks/QTBEW6rC/"]Milwaukee[/a] as part of a deal for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/antetokounmpo-giannis/zw2Tm2a1/"]Giannis Antetokounmpo[/a] -- who eventually landed in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/miami-heat/CQ7AXnT5/"]Miami[/a].[/p][p]"[b]Saying goodbye isn't easy when you've put your heart into something[/b]," Brown wrote. "[b]I'm big on respect and actions speak louder than words. To the people of Boston, thank you[/b]."[/p][p]He also had words for new fans and teammates in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/philadelphia-76ers/vwRW2QSh/"]Philadelphia[/a], where he's been the enemy for years.[/p][p]"[b]Every city has its own identity, its own passion, and its own expectation[/b]," Brown said. "[b]I respect that, and I'm looking forward to earning that respect the only way I know how - through the work[/b]."[/p][p]Meanwhile, reports continued to emerge on Thursday of more free agent deals that can't be officially signed until Monday.[/p][embed guid="52fb68f9-e576-4092-8f25-7f684b69454b" url="https://x.com/FCHWPO/status/2072752952574431499" social-type="twitter" /][p]ESPN reported that the Sixers had also landed free agent guard [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/simons-anfernee/4jZJtKH8/"]Anfernee Simons[/a].[/p][p]But the biggest prize of the free agent market remained up for grabs as [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/james-lebron/nuIVxFJk/"]LeBron James[/a] continued to consider his options after telling the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/los-angeles-lakers/ngegZ8bg/"]Los Angeles Lakers[/a] he was departing after eight seasons and one championship with the club.[/p][p]Possible destinations rumoured for James in an unprecedented 24th NBA season include his former teams, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cleveland-cavaliers/xGk13Tb6/"]Cleveland[/a] and Miami, or a move to play with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/curry-stephen/xx3787qL/"]Stephen Curry[/a] at Golden State.[/p][p]The Denver Post reported the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/denver-nuggets/CxvW27TI/"]Nuggets[/a] have expressed interest.[/p]