George Embraces Celtics Opportunity but Will Not Try to Fill Brown’s Shoes

Boston Celtics forward Paul George has no intention of filling the void left by former wing Jaylen Brown.

George was traded to the Celtics as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in July.

With Brown’s accomplishments, connection to, and work within the city, the trade sent shockwaves through the Celtics fanbase. At his introductory press conference Tuesday, George said he understands the raw emotions fans feel and recognized Brown’s contributions, but he sees an opportunity for both himself and the team.

“Listen, I understand the circumstances,” he said.

“I understand how huge [Brown] was, not only for the organization, but here in the city. So I didn’t take it personally, to be honest. They [fans] should have a relationship, emotionally, to that trade.

“But my job here is [to] kind of come in—it’s a great opportunity for me. The last two years have been rough, just with injuries. But for myself personally, I feel great again. I feel like I’ve turned that corner of dealing with injuries, and now I’m kind of re-establishing myself from a physical standpoint again, and with that I can carry it over to the court.”

George was brought in to Philadelphia to form a big three with center Joel Embiid and point guard Tyrese Maxey. But that never materialized, in large part due to injuries.

He played in only 41 games in 2024–25 and 37 games in 2025–26. He also saw a dip in production from his career highs: he averaged just 16.2 points per game in 2024–25 and 17.3 PPG last season.

Boston is George’s fifth stop in his 17-year career. Brown, meanwhile, was drafted by the Celtics and spent nine of his 10 seasons forming a tandem with forward Jayson Tatum and the various other stars the Celtics brought in.

In that time, he was a five-time NBA All-Star, a two-time All-NBA Second Teamer, and an All-Rookie Second Teamer in 2017. He helped lead the Celtics to an NBA championship in 2024, winning MVP of both the Eastern Conference Finals and the NBA Finals. He also made significant charitable contributions to the city, endearing him to the Celtics faithful and the entire city.

George said he understood the emotions fans have toward Brown and is not trying to fill the void he left behind, but can still help elevate the Celtics to another championship.

“I think it’s fair to live with that emotion, given what JB stood for and what he brought, and the history, right?” he said.

“He was a part of raising a banner and winning the championship here. So, I’m not saying that that’s going to forever stick, right? But it’s a new group. It’s a new opportunity.

“And again, I think they’re getting someone that’s ready to, not fill the shoes or fill the void of JB, but I think from a personal standpoint of myself, I think I can come in and kind of still keep us in that contention, and give us a chance to win.”

George said he was hoping to build a similar working relationship to the one Tatum and Brown had.

“I think it’s kind of just organically been us just working off one another, working with one another,” he said of their relationship so far.

“I think those relations and those conversations will happen as we get going full-fledged. I think for right now, it’s just learning one another: what we like, what we dislike, how I can help you, how you can help me. But those conversations will happen organically. It’s not one thing to rush. We’ll get on the court, and we’ll iron that out.”

George also hoped to bring some of his own qualities, abilities, and veteran presence to the Celtics’ young roster.

“I think obviously bringing kind of a veteran stance, leadership—being in this game for a while now—and to just be a great co-partner to JT. I think we’ve got an unbelievable roster, unbelievable coach, obviously front office. I’ve always admired everything Boston has done and stood for. So, I think coming in with that attitude and that mindset to win, I’m all on, and I’m happy to pull along and do my part to try to lead this group back to where I think everybody here feels and wants.”