The Boston Celtics’ blockbuster trade sending Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers was not a cost-cutting move and was not made with a follow-up deal in mind, according to a league source.

Boston sent the 2024 NBA Finals MVP to Philadelphia on Wednesday in exchange for Paul George, two future first-round picks and two second-round picks.

George has two years remaining on his four-year, $211 million contract, one fewer than Brown had remaining. The swap will save the Celtics roughly $2.9 million this season.

Despite that savings, a league source stressed the trade was not a financial decision. The source said there was no directive from ownership to move Brown.

The same source added that Wednesday’s deal was not executed with an imminent secondary trade already planned. Boston’s front office reportedly “agonized” over the decision for days before finalizing it.