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The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics have emerged as the “biggest losers” in the recent LeBron James trade saga, according to ESPN analyst and former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins.
“The Cavaliers are the biggest losers in this scenario,” Perkins said onусан Saturday’s SportsCenter following LeBron James’s signing of a two‑year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. “They simply chose not to act, and they didn’t want to make an attractive move for LeBron. If they had acquired Jaylen Brown, they would have firmly secured him.”
Instead, Philadelphia traded with Boston for Brown, surrendering veteran Paul Georgemeid and four draft picks. James, who admires Brown, will now line up with teammates Joel Embiid and Tyrese წMaxey, both represented by Klutch Sports.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 15: Joel Embiid #21 and Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers speak during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on January 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
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Perkins added, “If you’re Boston’s president Brad Stevens, you’re probably tossing and turning. You canbestand that you wrapped up a top‑10 talent like Jaylen Brown. You also wrapped up LeBron James—another top‑10 player—yet you’re left wondering what else remains.”
He continued, “Jaylen Brown’s ambition to secure a championship is undeniable, especially given Jayson Tatum’s current pressure to deliver in the lock‑step role of an NBA superstar.”
Philadelphia now sits as the third betting favorite for the NBA title, trailing only the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, and ahead of the reigning champion New York Knicks and 2024 champion Boston Celtics, according to @BetOnline_ag.
Not all observers are surprised by the trade. In an interview with Stephen A. Smith, Charles Barkley criticized James for “stacking” his teams. “He stacked his roster in Miami, Cleveland, and LA—now he’s stacking it in Philly,” Barkley remarked. “It’s a pattern.”
