Author: Gina Mizell

The 76ers are in an enviable position less than two weeks after the open of NBA free agency. They entered the summer hampered by the contracts of Joel Embiid and Paul George and few options other than to run it back with a team that finished seventh in the East and lost to the eventual champion New York Knicks.

The Inquirer’s Gina Mizell and David Murphy talked about the recent moves that changed the Sixers’ fortunes, including the trade of Jaylen Brown, courtship of LeBron James and more.

This was edited for clarity and conciseness.

Gina Mizell: Let’s just start with this… How would you describe this offseason overall for the Sixers? It’s still lots that potentially could happen, which we’ll get to in a little bit, but just overall, what’s your impression of what president of basketball operations Mike Gansey and the Sixers have done so far this offseason?

David Murphy: I’m kind of at a loss for words. I mean, you could describe the Jaylen Brown trade with just, ‘Wow,’ you could go with ‘unforeseen.’ I don’t think anybody really saw this coming. Over the course of the offseason, I’ve been listening to just about every hoops podcast, national podcast, you could possibly think of, and absolutely nobody had this in the cards for the Sixers. And I think that the biggest surprise to me was that that Paul George’s contract was something that the Celtics actually viewed as something that was stomachable or palatable. I watched Brad Stevens’ press conference the other day, and I was surprised that it sounds like they wanted Paul George. This wasn’t necessarily a salary dump, so I think that was kind of the keystone that allowed all this to happen.

But from the Sixers perspective, I think it was a no-brainer. You don’t lose much in terms of financial flexibility. Jaylen Brown was signed for one more year than Paul George, and the Sixers have gone from kind of rebuilding and two timelines to another three-year window here, where they’re going for it. You can’t help but be excited whether you’re a fan or someone like us who covers the team.

I was at the park with my 15-month-old son, Max, and it was, I think, 5:30 p.m. We were killing time before dinner, and I just got a text from a buddy of mine, because we have been group chatting about NBA stuff for four weeks. We had each kind of wagered our bets on where Jaylen Brown would end up, and the text message I got just said, “Wow, didn’t see that coming.”

Where were you when it happened, and what was your initial reaction when that came across your phone or your computer or whoever you saw the news,

GM: I was at home, and what I always share with our fellow NBA reporter friends is that my mom’s birthday is July 1, so it’s actually a miracle that she has not disowned me, given that July 1 is always a busy day in the NBA calendar because it’s the opening day of free agency. But I had called her finally, maybe like about 4:30 p.m. in the afternoon, Eastern time, because the Sixers had a lot of things that happened. Kelly Oubre had moved on, Quentin Grimes had moved on, they had signed Ariel Hukporti, and it kind of reached this point in time where I’m like, ‘OK, I think I can get this like 15-minute phone call in and catch up and do all that stuff.

At that point I wasn’t really expecting anything else to happen that day, and then the news pops about an hour later. And when it came across my phone, I literally said many expletives out loud, loud enough that my apartment neighbors maybe could have heard, because I just could not believe it. And so, no, it was just crazy when it all went down.

But now that we’ve had a chance to sort of marinate on this deal — it’s a few days old — has anything changed about sort of what you wrote in that initial column, as far as the fit financially, as far as building that championship window, like you mentioned, just kind of now that you’ve sort of sat with it? Any new thoughts, any additional thoughts, any deeper thoughts about how this is all going to work out now, adding Jalen Brown to this group?

DM: Not really from the Sixers perspective. I’ve actually spent most of my time, but I’m in the process right now of writing for tomorrow, the end result of that. Just kind of trying to answer the question, ‘What were the Celtics thinking?’ That was my first reaction along with just about everybody else in the world. My reaction first and foremost was, ‘Wow, like that’s all? That’s all they got for Jalen Brown? And I think my thinking on that, more than anything, has changed a little bit. I’m still surprised that you know, look, people want to rip the Celtics, but this is, first and foremost, a story of 28 other teams that did not beat the Sixers offer. So you can absolutely blame the Celtics for trading Brown, if that was the best offer on the table, the fact is that was the best offer on the table, and that’s something to think about.

I think that, you know, one of the key points that, and I believe this before the trade, I think people are underestimating how valuable that the Clippers pick is, that the Sixers traded to the Celtics. And I think Stevens kind of hinted at that yesterday in his press conference. Somebody asked him why Philly, and his response was essentially that this was the best move for the future of the franchise and the assets that we could get. I agree with him 100 percent. You know, I talked to somebody in the Sixers orbit during the season. I was shooting the bull and asking about the new lottery odds, and they said to me that Clippers pick is going to get a lot more valuable with these new odds, and I think you know that’s something that people really need to understand.

GM: The contracts of Paul George for Jaylen Brown are very similar but Brown does have one more year on his current deal, and he is extension eligible on July 26. So the Sixers roster is already very top heavy and is going to continue to be top heavy when you look at Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, obviously still on his big deal, and then potentially coming up if VJ Edgecomb is going to get a payday in a few years. But I think you’re exactly right about that Clippers pick, because you look at what they’ve been and who they are now in the last six months or so with trading James Harden, trading Ivica Zubac, obviously trading Kawhi Leonard right before free agency opened. And that is a team that you would expect that pick to be very valuable.

But just adding Brown to this mix coming off of the best individual season of his career, sixth in MVP voting, really carried that Celtics team that a lot of people thought would take a gap year with Jayson Tatum out with the Achilles injury, and now adding him to this group. Who is he going to enhance the most? Who does his game, when you look at Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid when healthy, VJ Edgecombe, some of these other complimentary players, who do you think Jalen Brown is most going to enhance? Where is he most going to make this team even better, in addition to what he does individually on the floor?

DM: A few years from now, Peyton Pritchard, and that’s really the second apron. This is really a story of the second apron doing what it was intended to do, and it was intended to spread superstar talent, and it’s doing that, so I think that more than anything, from the Celtics perspective. I actually think they made a very tough decision but I admire them for that. I think when you really look at, when you really look at the nuts and bolts of it, this move will leave them better off for the long haul, and maybe even the short and medium term.

I think it’s kind of a package thing. He’s going to make the pairing of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe workable. Edgecombe and Maxey, in the future, and you know, building around them. Anytime I talked about Edgecomb and Maxey in the future, and building around them, you almost have to put Joel Embiid out of it. I’m not convinced at this point that he’s even 100% going to be here next year. It wouldn’t stun me. He’s been conspicuously silent on social media ever since this trade went down. I’m not predicting that. I think it’s more of a possibility now than it was before, you know, especially seeing what we just saw. I’m not ruling anything out is what it comes down to.

So, I think you almost have to put him to the side, regardless of whether he’s here or not, you know, Mike Gansey’s number one priority was to build, start building a team that can win with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe as their back court, and that was going to take, it was absolutely going to take two big wings, and ideally one of them being a guy who could could score, who could slash, who could play some bully ball, who could give them an element that, at least at this point, you know, Maxey probably will never have in terms of strength, and VJ, I think, could but just isn’t there yet.

GM: You wrote yesterday or the day before, just about the basketball fit for LeBron, and how and why the Sixers make a ton of sense, just not to make you regurgitate what you wrote on the Inquirer, but just what are sort of the reasons why, based on everything that you just said, that just adding a guy like Lebron, who obviously is not the perennial MVP contender that he once was, but is still really, really, really good, and would that be the type of piece that would put the Sixers over the top?

DM: Someone made an argument to me that I now buy… I think the Timberwolves are probably the best basketball fit for them, for him, you know, and I think that he would probably have better title hopes with them as well, just because of the presence of Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels on the defensive end. But I think the Sixers are right there with the Timberwolves in terms of pure basketball fit. I think, again, Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo are clunky as it is. LeBron could maybe help alleviate some of that, but at the same time that’s an interesting threesome to have out there on the court, and it certainly has a chance to not be an enjoyable basketball playing experience for LeBron. And I think he’d say the same thing about, you know, Cleveland, assuming Harden comes back. No disrespect to James Harden, but I wouldn’t want to spend the last year of my career watching him dribble, dribble around a basketball court.

I personally think if I was LeBron I would opt for the Warriors and the Nuggets, just because I think playing alongside Nikola Jokic or Steph Curry would be a heck of a lot of fun, and just kind of a neat way to see what happens for the last year of my career. LeBron will fit anywhere, is what it comes down to. If you plug him in at the three or the four for the Sixers, whatever you want to consider, with Jaylen Brown, I think I think they’ve got as good a chance as anybody.

LeBron James’ free-agency decision (4.0) still lingered through Wednesday.

It looks like agent Rich Paul intends to continue turning this into content for his Game Over podcast. Bob Myers, the president of Harris Blizter Sports & Entertainment, was the guest on the episode released Wednesday to, among other things, make his pitch for the Sixers.

Though James’ answer could be far from imminent, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Sixers are now in the all-timer’s top three contenders. Philly joins the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, two former homes where James won NBA championships. And Paul has said James will make his choice based on “happiness,” which could pertain to basketball, to life, or some combination of the two.

What are the cases for the three remaining possibilities? Here is a breakdown.

Sixers

Pros

A perfect fit

Paul said while breaking down his now-famous white board of possible James landing spots that “everything changed” with the Sixers once they pulled off the blockbuster trade for Jaylen Brown.

James would perfectly slide into the forward spot of a potent starting group, which also features former NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid, All-NBA third-teamer Tyrese Maxey, and standout young guard VJ Edgecombe.

Though the cliché that James’ skill set and exceptional basketball IQ fits with any team is true, the Sixers do make a ton of basketball sense.

A fourth title

Coming to Philly also would allow James to chase a championship with a fourth team, enhancing his argument as the greatest player in basketball history.

There also would be some oomph behind doing it with the Sixers, a storied franchise that has not advanced past the playoffs’ second round since 2001 and has not won a championship since 1983.

If James helps the Sixers finally over the hump, that is a legacy-building final act.

The Maxey connection

James also has a longtime friendship with Maxey, another prime Klutch client. Maxey has worked out with James since his predraft process in 2020. Maxey’s name had an asterisk next to it on Paul’s white board.

James also has ties to president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, who played against the NBA star in high school and worked in the Cavaliers organization for over a decade. His brother, Steven, even may have been the first to hint that the Sixers had a real shot to land James.

Shortly after the Brown trade, Steven tweeted a photo of James and Mike Gansey together as high-schoolers with the eyeballs emoji.

Cons

No history

Unlike Cleveland and Miami, James has no past connection to the Sixers. And like his Lakers tenure, it is worthwhile to consider how he would be embraced by a proud and passionate (and parochial) sports market.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Pros

A storybook ending

It would be the ultimate storybook ending for James to end his career with his hometown team — and where he began his NBA journey and ended the Cavaliers’ championship drought in 2016.

It would be worthy of a documentary or miniseries, just in case anybody happens to be considering that. And that might trump, well, anything else on this list.

Top-end talent

The Cavaliers boast a talented roster — led by All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell, defensive big man Evan Mobley, and (likely) fellow longtime star James Harden — that just advanced to the Eastern Conference finals.

Front-office ties

Brandon Weems, one of James’ closest friends and high-school teammate, is Cleveland’s assistant general manager. Interestingly, Weems could be promoted to general manager after Gansey left that position to join the Sixers.

Cons

Odd fit with Harden

On the surface, it feels like an odd fit with Harden, though the former MVP and scoring champ is more of a table-setter at this point in his career. Harden also remains a free agent.

Been there, done that

There is a “been there, done that” element to returning to the Cavaliers for the third time.

Is there a light risk in dimming his legacy — either in Cleveland or in the broader basketball universe — if this swan song backfires?

Miami Heat

Pros

Heat culture

James returns to the glamour market — and #HeatCulture —where he won his first two championships.

Leadership continuity

Though the roster obviously has changed, organizational continuity remains at the top.

Miami is still coached by Erik Spoelstra and run by Pat Riley, with whom James has repaired his relationship after he left Miami to return to Cleveland in 2014.

The Greek Freak

The Heat just traded for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Cons

Been there, done that (too)

Ditto on the “been there, done that” element. The Decision to go to Miami in 2010 was seismic. How would it feel 16 years later?

Clunky offense

Antetokounmpo pairing with versatile big man Bam Adebayo has the potential to be a clunky fit, at least initially. The Heat also traded much of their depth — including scoring guard Tyler Herro — in order to get Antetokounmpo.

Because of all of that, right now Miami still feels a tick below the other top Eastern Conference contenders.

Dean Wade lived two houses down from the St. John High School gym, and had a set of keys.

Well, his mother, Trish, did. She was the school’s volleyball and track coach in their town located “in the middle of nowhere, Kansas,” Dean said, and he often swiped those keys to let himself in for his own workouts.

“I lived in the gym,” Dean recalled Tuesday. “That was all I ever really knew was basketball.”

That commitment eventually led Dean Wade to the NBA, where he elevated himself from an undrafted player on a two-way contract to complementary contributor on the Cleveland Cavaliers team that advanced to the Eastern Conference finals this year. The 6-foot-9 forward has earned a reputation as a versatile defender — he guarded point guards, wings, and power forwards during the playoffs — who can space the floor on offense.

Now, Wade believes his beyond-the-box-score skills will translate to the Sixers, after signing his four-year contract worth almost $39 million.

“A big reason was just kind of fit,” Wade said of why he joined a team that now boasts All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown alongside entrenched stars Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.

Wade acknowledged during Tuesday’s introductory session with Philly media that, while growing up in a place with a population of less than 1,200, the NBA felt like a “cool dream” but not exactly a realistic option.

Still, Wade was part of an athletic and competitive household. Older sister Teresa was a standout volleyball player like their mother. Their father, Jay, played college football at Kansas State. Dean, though, was the “worst loser” if a parent beat him in a no-stakes card game.

On the basketball court, Wade developed into the state’s top high school player in 2015 — despite playing for one of its smallest schools — and a four-year standout at Kansas State. After Wade was not selected in the 2019 draft, a Cavaliers front office featuring new Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey signed him to a two-way contract to split time between the G League and NBA teams.

“I think [Gansey] had a big say in that,” Wade said.

Still, Wade was not regarded as a defensive stalwart when he first entered the NBA. During a candid conversation with Cleveland assistants, he learned that committing to that end of the floor would be his path to earning meaningful minutes.

So he got stronger in the weight room. He embraced his stints in the G League. And in his second NBA season, a barrage of injuries suddenly pushed Wade into 19 starts that made him believe he could “truly stick in this league.”

Now, Wade relishes whenever a ballhandler isolates against him, and the game becomes “head up, and who’s better?”

“I’ve got to play with that little chip on my shoulder,” Wade said. “I love that competitive spirit, where it’s just whose will is going to outlast whose? That’s where I enjoy the defensive part of it. …

“You don’t want to let any of your teammates down. You know how important you are on the defensive end, and you’ve got to do your job so everyone else can do their job.”

Wade averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 59 games last season for the Cavaliers, and earned praise from teammates such as All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell for his postseason defense.

Now, Wade gets to play alongside Brown, who is a stout defender in addition to his offensive excellence. Wade called Brown “definitely one of the toughest people I’ve had to guard” because of his blend of size, athleticism, skill, and “edge.” Wade also has experienced Maxey’s blazing speed firsthand, acknowledging the All-NBA guard has blown by him a time or two.

So Wade’s goal on offense is to be enough of a three-point threat — he has shot 36.7% on an average of 3.2 attempts in his career — to give those perimeter scorers, plus Embiid, space to operate. He vowed to put himself in position to grab offensive rebounds. And he brings plenty of experience with playoff intensity, through team success and missteps.

Wade won’t need a set of keys to enter his new home gym in Camden. He will navigate his first Sixers season alongside Gansey, who regularly was among the first faces he saw wherever he walked into the Cavaliers’ practice facility.

And when asked about what he expects from Philly, Wade leaned on a tidbit he picked up from former Sixer and Cavalier Georges Niang.

“It’s the best fans in the world — as long as you’re playing the right way,” Wade said of Niang’s message. “I feel like I take pride in playing the right way.”

Adem Bona’s contract becomes guaranteed

Adem Bona’s $2.3 million salary for the 2026-27 season became fully guaranteed Tuesday, after the Sixers did not waive the reserve big man before July 7.

Bona, who is entering his third NBA season, is expected to compete with newcomer Ariel Hukporti for the backup center job behind Embiid. Last season, Bona shared that role with veteran Andre Drummond, who left the Sixers in free agency to sign with the New York Knicks.

Bona averaged 4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 17.1 minutes per game in 2025-26. He impressed with his athleticism and rim protection, but struggled to stay out of foul trouble and limit mistakes. He was a second-round draft pick in 2025.

Hukporti ready to accept role

Hukporti, who on Monday signed his one-year, $3.4 million contract, was a part of the Knicks’ championship team.

Now, the 24-year-old big man is ready to learn from Embiid — and “just do my job.”

Hukporti believes that will encompass the “dirty work” on the defensive end, where his athleticism allows him to switch onto multiple positions. He also plans to be a reliable screen-setter for the Sixers’ guards headlined by Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

“Just the little things that make a big impact when it comes to winning,” said Hukporti, who was New York’s third-string center behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson.

Hukporti has averaged 2.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in limited minutes across 79 games in his first two NBA seasons. Still, experiencing the Knicks’ title run — which featured multiple dramatic comebacks including an epic Game 4 of the Finals — reinforced a mantra of “never give up.”

“No matter what happens,” he said. “You can always win in every situation — the playoffs, especially.”

Coming out of the holiday weekend, the 76ers and NBA at large are still on LeBron James Watch.

Free agency’s initial wave also is over, with players beginning to officially sign new contracts after the moratorium lifted. The Sixers’ new deals with Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons were officially announced Monday afternoon, as was the blockbuster trade for All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown.

Those moves leave the Sixers with only a veteran’s minimum contract available to fill their final full-time roster spot. One two-way slot also is available.

It is still possible, however, to find productive players on those types of small deals. Kelly Oubre Jr. joined the Sixers on a veteran’s minimum contract in September of 2023, before three productive seasons. Last year, Dominick Barlow signed a two-way contract in the middle of summer league, before becoming a part-time starting forward and getting converted to a standard deal.

If James decides to play elsewhere, here is a breakdown of still-available free agents that could fill that spot instead:

Trendon Watford

After the Sixers declined the team option for 2026-27 in Watford’s contract, the versatile forward remains uncommitted to a new team. Perhaps he has already signaled his plans to move on no matter what, after he posted Future’s song “Ain’t Coming Back” on his Instagram story shortly after his option was declined. But if he lingers on the market, could a return to Philly be possible? Though Watford was not a consistent member of the Sixers’ rotation, his close friendship with All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey is a perk.

Bruce Brown

Brown played a critical role on the Denver Nuggets’ 2023 NBA championship team. Though his return to Denver last season did not feature the same scoring impact, he is still regarded as an offensive connector and played in all 82 games. He averaged 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists last season.

Khris Middleton

Once an All-Star and running mate for Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2021 title team, the 34-year-old Middleton has been derailed by injuries in recent seasons but still flashes ability to get his own shot. He averaged 10.2 points on 42% shooting, along with 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists, in a 2025-26 season split between the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks.

DeMar DeRozan

DeRozan, who was reportedly waived by the rebuilding Sacramento Kings on Monday, is still a professional scorer. The six-time All-Star is expected to choose a contender as his next destination after averaging 18.4 points on nearly 50% shooting along with 4.1 assists in 77 games last season. Though deadly from the midrange, the 36-year-old DeRozan has never been a high-volume three-point shooter.

Nick Richards

If the Sixers are a tad wary of the raw, unpredictable play of Adem Bona (whose $2.3 million salary for 2026-27 becomes guaranteed Tuesday) and free-agency addition Ariel Hukporti, Richards is a capable veteran option at backup center. He averaged 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 14.6 minutes last season split between the Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls.

Guerschon Yabusele

A rare feel-good story during the Sixers’ disastrous 2024-25 season, Yabusele parlayed his NBA comeback into a pay raise with the New York Knicks. To say things did not work out in New York is an understatement, and he was traded at the deadline to the Bulls. Could he successfully slide back into a complementary frontcourt role with the Sixers? Or will his performance two seasons ago go down as a career anomaly on a bad team?

Kevon Looney

A Bob Myers connection, Looney spent his first 10 NBA seasons developing into a well-regarded big man on the Golden State Warriors dynasty teams. The 30-year-old only played in 21 games last season for the New Orleans Pelicans, but is another beloved locker room presence.

Nico Batum

The Los Angeles Clippers declined Batum’s $5.9 million team option last weekend, making him an unrestricted free agent. Sixers coach Nick Nurse (and Joel Embiid) had an affinity for Batum’s veteran savvy during his time with the Sixers in the 2023-24 season, when he swung the play-in game against the Miami Heat with his three-point shooting and even became the team’s designated inbounds passer. But he is 37 years old and feels deep family connections to Los Angeles and the West Coast.

Matisse Thybulle

The former Sixers wing was once a member of the NBA’s All-Defensive Team before being traded at the 2023 deadline. He went through injury struggles in parts of four seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers but had a strong finish to 2025-26. He averaged 2.0 steals and shot 39.8% on 3.3 three-point attempts in 30 regular-season games, and played double-digit minutes in three of Portland’s five playoff games against the San Antonio Spurs.

KJ Martin

The former Sixer is a non-shooter but hyper-athletic forward who is a lob threat with defensive versatility. He also displayed ability as a small-ball center, and in playing in the short roll alongside Maxey. Last season, he played for the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association.

Gary Payton II

Another Myers connection, Payton has been a physical defender even going back to his college days. The 33-year-old averaged 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 73 games for the Warriors last season.

Amir Coffey

Coffey boasts prototypical wing size at 6-foot-7 and 210 pounds. He also is a career 38.2% shooter from beyond the arc, including when he connected on nearly 41% on 3.4 attempts in 72 games for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2024-25.

Ben Simmons

Obligatory inclusion of Simmons, who recently told Men’s Health that he is attempting an NBA comeback and would consider a return to the Sixers.

The 76ers’ blockbuster trade for All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown, along with the free-agency signings of defensive forward Dean Wade, scoring guard Anfernee Simons, and reserve big man Ariel Hukporti became official Monday when the NBA’s moratorium period was lifted.

Brown was acquired in exchange for Paul George and four draft picks. Here is how the Sixers described the complicated draft compensation going back to the Celtics, in a news release:

• A 2028 first-round pick (the LA Clippers’ own) that, if it is top 16, instead becomes the unprotected right for Boston to swap its currently held 2028 first-round pick (the worst of Boston’s and San Antonio’s) with the better of the LA Clippers’ or (if the Sixers’ is top eight) Sixers’ 2028 first-round pick.
• The Sixers’ 2031 unprotected first-round pick.
• The most favorable 2028 second-round pick among Golden State’s, Milwaukee’s, or Oklahoma City’s.
• The more favorable 2030 second-round pick among Phoenix’s, Portland’s, or Washington’s.

Brown is coming off the best individual season of his career, in which he averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists and finished sixth in MVP award voting. He propelled the Celtics to 56 regular-season wins — before they were upset by the Sixers in the playoffs’ first round — while playing the bulk of the season without fellow star Jayson Tatum, who was recovering from Achilles surgery.

Brown, new president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, and owner Josh Harris also provided statements about the deal:

Brown: “I’m excited to begin this next chapter in Philly. From every conversation I’ve had, it’s clear this is a group that’s hungry, competitive, and committed to winning; and that’s the kind of environment I’ve always embraced. I’ve always believed that success comes from sacrifice, accountability, and putting the team above yourself. I’m looking forward to building with this group, earning the trust of my teammates, and chasing something special together.

“Off the court, I’m just as excited to become part of the Philly community. Throughout my career, I’ve believed basketball can be a catalyst for creating real impact, and I’m eager to continue expanding the work of the 7uice Foundation, investing in youth, education, and opportunities that leave a lasting difference. I’m grateful for this opportunity, and I’m ready to get to work. #Throwtheballup”

Gansey: “Jaylen has proven himself as one of the league’s top players year after year. He is a dynamic playmaker with a versatile skill set that positively impacts the game on both ends of the floor. His wealth of experience, high basketball IQ, poise, and leadership will benefit this franchise for years to come.

“A perennial All-Star and All-NBA talent, Jaylen also has a special ability to elevate his game on the brightest of stages, as evidenced by his world championship and Finals MVP selection. We couldn’t be happier to officially welcome him as a 76er.”

Harris: “I am incredibly excited to welcome five-time NBA All-Star and 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers. Throughout his career, Jaylen has proven to be one of the best two-way players in the league. He knows what it takes to win at the highest levels and I can’t wait to see him alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe.

“I also want to thank Paul for his contributions during his time in Philadelphia. Paul and his family were active in our community, and we’re appreciative of their time and impact here.”

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens held a news conference to address the trade Monday afternoon, saying moving Brown provides future financial “optionality” under the new collective bargaining agreement because he and Tatum are on supermax contracts. Though Brown ($57 million) and George ($54 million) will make similar salaries in 2026-27, Brown’s current contract runs three more seasons to George’s two (including a player option for 2027-28). Brown also will become eligible to sign a two-year, $142 million extension on July 26.

“We have to make really hard decisions with every piece of information that we have,” Stevens said. “And, ultimately, this is the decision that we came to. Obviously, in many circles, that’s not popular, and we understood that coming into it.

“That’s just something that you have to really consider and weigh, but, ultimately, the reasons that we’ve made the decisions are the ones I’ve shared.”

Wade’s contract is for four years and roughly $39 million, The Inquirer confirmed via a league source. Simons’ deal is for two years and $12.3 million with a player option on the second year, while Hukporti’s is for one year and $3.4 million, The Inquirer confirmed.

Wade, who is projected to slide into the starting power forward spot next to Brown, is known as a stout defender, and averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists in 59 games last season. He developed from an undrafted player in 2019 to rotation contributor while Gansey was in his previous job as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ general manager.

Simons will be tasked with providing needed scoring punch to the Sixers’ bench. He averaged 14.3 points and shot 38.5% on 6.9 three-point attempts per game in a season split between the Celtics and Chicago Bulls. He also averaged 2.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists.

Hukporti is expected to compete with Adem Bona for the Sixers’ backup center spot. Hukporti was the third-string center behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson on the NBA champion New York Knicks, and averaged 2.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in 9.1 minutes in 79 games across his first two NBA seasons.

The 76ers on Monday announced their Las Vegas Summer League roster, headlined by first-round draft pick Labaron Philon Jr.

Johni Broome, a 2025 second-round draft pick whose rookie season was interrupted by knee surgery, also is on the roster. Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert, who have either signed or agreed to a two-way contract with the Sixers, are not part of the team.

The team will be coached by Sixers player development associate coach TJ DiLeo, who held the same role last year. DiLeo, the son of former Sixers coach and executive Tony DiLeo, played at Temple and has worked his way up the Sixers’ staff since 2021.

The Sixers play their first game in Las Vegas Thursday against the Detroit Pistons. Their other set games are Saturday against the Indiana Pacers, July 14 against the Houston Rockets, and July 15 against the Orlando Magic.

Andre Drummond will not return to the 76ers, instead agreeing to a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the New York Knicks, ESPN reported Friday night.

Drummond’s departure became likely when the Sixers on Wednesday morning agreed to sign 7-footer Ariel Hukporti, who had been the third-team center on the Knicks’ championship team, to a one-year, $3.4 million contract. Hukporti will compete with Adem Bona, whose $2.3 million salary for 2026-27 becomes guaranteed on Tuesday, for the backup role behind Joel Embiid.

Drummond professionally handled a fluctuating role in 2025-26. For the bulk of the season, he was the starting center in the games Embiid did not play — and was out of the rotation when Embiid was available. During the playoffs, though, Drummond recaptured the role as Embiid’s backup while postseason first-timer Bona struggled. Drummond averaged 6.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 63 regular-season games in 2025-26.

The 32-year-old Drummond joins a Knicks team that needed center depth after backup Mitchell Robinson also reportedly departed for the Boston Celtics. He still is a stout rebounder and big-bodied presence, and his corner three-point shooting has elevated from fun novelty to legitimate offensive weapon. But he is not the most mobile, making him a liability on defense.

The Sixers, meanwhile, have revamped their roster by acquiring All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown in a blockbuster trade with the Celtics. Defensive forward Dean Wade and scoring guard Anfernee Simons also have agreed to sign with the Sixers as free agents. The team also selected Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. in the first round of the NBA draft last week.

Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr. also have departed the Sixers, reportedly agreeing to contracts with the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers, respectively, on Wednesday. Veteran guard Kyle Lowry also reportedly will retire as a Toronto Raptor next week. Reserve forward Trendon Watford, whose team option was declined by the Sixers Monday, has not yet committed to signing with a team.

Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert have agreed to sign two-way contracts with the 76ers, a source confirmed to The Inquirer on Friday.

Love, an explosive scoring guard, averaged 10.4 points on 38.8% shooting in 49 games as a rookie last season on a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. He attempted six three-pointers per appearance, a potential boost for a Sixers team that struggled from beyond the arc last season.

Love played four years of college basketball at North Carolina and Arizona, then went undrafted last summer.

Rupert, a 6-foot-7 wing with excellent length, has played in 155 games across three NBA seasons with the Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies. The 22-year-old averaged 12.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in 16 games for a “tanking” Grizzlies team late last season, including a 14-point effort on 6-of-9 shooting in a March loss at the Sixers.

Rupert, who is from Strasbourg, France, was a second-round draft pick in 2023. He played professionally in his home country and for the New Zealand Breakers before making the jump to the NBA. His sister, Iliana, plays for the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries and his father, Thierry, played in the EuroLeague and for the French national team.

These are the Sixers’ first two-way signings this offseason. They have found success with such contracts in the recent past, with Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker, and Dalen Terry getting converted to standard deals by the end of last season.