Celtics Trade Jaylen Brown for Paul George and 2 First-Round Picks

Q: Why would the Rockets trade their 23-year-old All-Star Alperen Sengun after his breakout season?

Houston would trade Alperen Sengun only if it believes he is the best path to a bigger upgrade now. The Rockets’ thinking is being shaped by urgency. After back-to-back first-round exits, including a disappointing loss to a shorthanded Lakers team, the front office appears to be in a win-now phase rather than a patient development cycle. That shift was underscored by the Kevin Durant move and by league chatter that Houston is willing to discuss almost anyone except Amen Thompson, who is viewed as the roster’s near-untouchable piece. Sengun’s value is exactly why he is in rumors. At 23, coming off an All-Star season of 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists, he is one of Houston’s strongest trade chips. If the Rockets want another top-tier player such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard or Donovan Mitchell, Sengun is the kind of young star and salary ballast that can anchor a blockbuster package. There is also a roster-building and financial angle. Sengun is owed major money, and Houston must think about the new apron rules, Durant’s salary, and future extensions for younger players. Even if the Rockets are not over the tax lines yet, keeping an expensive core together can quickly limit flexibility. None of this means Houston wants to dump Sengun. Reports indicate the Rockets are not actively shopping him. The logic is narrower: if a true superstar becomes available, Sengun may be the price of accelerating the franchise from playoff team to real contender.

3 articles · Updated · Heavy.com · Jul 21

Boston sent Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George, a 2028 first-rounder that could become a swap, the Sixers’ unprotected 2031 first-round pick and two second-round selections.
The move came as Brown approached a supermax extension, with Boston’s decision framed as a bid to avoid deeper second-apron pressure despite the controversy of dealing a franchise star.
The trade stands as one of the summer’s biggest completed deals in an offseason already reshaped by Miami’s Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster and leaguewide cap-driven roster shuffling.
Around that backdrop, the market for other stars still looks limited, with LeBron James’ undecided future continuing to hold up potential ripple effects across contenders in both conferences.