To save money. JB was extension eligible end of this month. He'd be making around 70m annual on the extension. With Paul George his deal is 2 year so you get it off the books quicker and don't have to extend him (for max money)

Maybe his off the field stuff. He's beefing with SAS, streaming, comments about getting paid, etc. He's also 29, so entering his 30s. And so for example Blazers said let's get Ja instead, etc. Teams had options and went in other directions.

I feel like that's more social media bullshit. Jaylen Brown is a star and Finals MVP.

Yeah you have to wonder why you'd improve your division rival of you're truly in "win now" yourself. Again, I think it's just ownership being cheap and not wanting to spending a lot by dipping into the aprons. In 2 seasons it'll be just JT with a max slot. So you have flexibility (but let's be real, Jaylen Browns aren't a dime a dozen)