In one of the more surprising moves in recent NBA history, the Boston Celtics dealt star wing Jaylen Brown to the 76ers in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks.

The two teams met for the first time this season on Tuesday night with the Celtics taking home a 123-101 victory behind 36 points from George. That has some to wonder if the 76ers have some unforeseen issues.

Colin Cowherd Calls Out Philadelphia 76ers Bench, Blames Jaylen Brown’s Contract

Many have questioned the Celtics’ motives for dealing Brown, given their failed attempt to send Him to the Milwaukee Bucks in a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Recent reports contradict the claim that Brown was still willing to stay in Boston despite the failed trade.

That the Celtics actually decided to pull the trigger and deal Brown wasn’t the surprise, especially after their previous attempt to deal him. The surprise was that he went to the rival 76ers, who knocked the Celtics out of the first round of last season’s playoffs by rallying from a 3-1 deficit.

The Celtics have caught plenty of heat for the move, but after their victory on Tuesday, they are now 9-2, the best mark in the Eastern Conference.

To one sportscaster’s credit (and they take that credit), they agreed with the move in the first place.

Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd agreed with the move, largely because he likes George as a player and a fit next to Tatum, believes the draft has continued to get better, making picks more valuable, and he does not like Brown’s contract.

“Paul George is a better player analytically,” Cowherd explained. “He’s absolutely a better fit with Jayson Tatum. Jaylen Brown’s like high-maintenance and his contract is expensive and long – and he didn’t have a market. Paul George. Cheaper, better analytically, and he ate Jaylen Brown for lunch last night.”

That contract is what worries Cowherd, leading him to proclaim “Philadelphia’s got no bench.”

Brown is making $57,736,350 this season, is due $61,672,814 next, and $65,609,278 for the 2028-29 season. George is making $54,126,380 this season and has a player option worth $56,586,670 for the 2027-28 season.

Although the 76ers did their best to fill out their roster around Brown, LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, there hasn’t been much production from the bench, and there are still holes. Finding production outside the starting lineup has been a challenge.

Offseason acquisitions Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5.3 points per game) and Dean Wade (3.7 points per game) haven’t provided the spark the 76ers have hoped for through their first 12 games. Anfernee Simons has tried to pick up the slack, putting up 9.7 a night, but he’s shooting just 39.8% from the field.

Cowherd believes Brown’s interactions before the game said plenty about his attitude.

“Did you see Brown’s reaction before the tipoff?” Cowherd asked. “It said it all: Petty. You got to deal with some maintenance.”

Cowherd went on to explain that both Tatum and George are “low maintenance” and credit George for his play in the 76ers’ postseason upset of the Celtics last season.

Brown is putting up 21.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 47.6% from the field and 38.2% from three. He’s clearly not having a bad season, but after a relatively poor performance against the Celtics, he’s going to hear about it, especially with the Celtics appearing to be clicking right now.