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Author: DeAntae Prince

  • Five things that have kept the Sixers in the LeBron James sweepstakes

    Five things that have kept the Sixers in the LeBron James sweepstakes

    The 76ers are reportedly among LeBron James’ top three preferred free-agency destinations as teams continue to court him deep into the summer. The other options are the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

    Meanwhile, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who has deep Ohio ties, said the pendulum appears to be swinging toward the Cavaliers, but the Sixers and several other NBA franchises are not counting themselves out.

    How do the Sixers stack up as a LeBron James destination? Breaking down his reported top 3 contenders.

    So you’re telling the Sixers there’s still a chance? They’ve been here before, vying for James’ services most recently in 2018 as he considered teaming up with a young Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Now the Sixers once again have an attractive roster centered around Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe.

    It could be a while before we learn James’ final decision, but here are five things that make the Sixers attractive to the 41-year old.

    LeBron’s quest for a new challenge

    James has done all there is to accomplish in basketball. He has four NBA titles, 10 Finals appearances and he owned the Eastern Conference for a decade. And there’s even lore surrounding those titles, as he brought one championship to his home state and resurrected franchises in Miami and Los Angeles.

    He holds the NBA’s all-time record for scoring, minutes played, games played, and more. All-time greats in sports are constantly looking for new challenges, and James is running out of options. So if he’s looking for a place to retire, the Cavaliers hold the sentimental edge and Florida is the retirement capital of the country. But only the Sixers offer new territory.

    Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid battled in last year’s first-round series between the Celtics and Sixers.

    The Jaylen Brown trade

    Prior to the Brown trade, folks in Philly saw James’ departure from the Lakers on the news ticker and kept moving along. The addition of Brown created a potential starting lineup of Maxey, Edgecombe, Brown and Embiid. And while Dean Wade was a great free-agency addition, James could look at that lineup and slot himself in at power forward and see a real title contender. That’s the moment “everything changed” for the Sixers’ chances of landing James, according to James’ agent and Klutch Sports owner Rich Paul.

    The Eastern Conference has also presented a level of parity that could benefit the Sixers. While the East has won two of the last three titles, no team has made a repeat Finals appearance since James’ Cavaliers made it four straight times. Brown’s Celtics made the Finals in 2022 and won in 2024 and he knows how to get back. Famously, the Sixers haven’t made it past the second round since 2001, but it’s a notch in their belt to have someone who understands that process.

    Tyrese Maxey’s Klutch ties and infectious personality

    Maxey’s rise continues. Originally selected with the 21st pick out of Kentucky in 2020, Maxey had to wait his turn for the Sixers. He played behind Simmons and competed with Shake Milton for minutes. But once given a full-time role, Maxey’s star took off. He became a starter, then an All-Star and then an All-NBA performer. Now, Maxey is one of the pillars of the Sixers’ pitch to James after averaging 28.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists and leading the Sixers to the postseason.

    Brad Stevens says he would rather have not traded Jaylen Brown to Philly, but the Celtics did what they had to do

    There’s also the personality piece, because Maxey’s infectious persona and work ethic have been lauded by everyone in the Sixers’ organization. And, of course, as Klutch Sports clients with deep ties to Paul, James is familiar with both sides of Maxey. And Paul has repeatedly said that James “loves” Maxey.

    The greatness of peak Joel Embiid

    That it took this long to get to Embiid should say something about the state of things. Embiid played only 38 games last season and called that a success because he learned more about managing his knee that could benefit the Sixers going forward. Of course, it was to some extent because he played only 19 games the year before because of knee surgery. And when available, Embiid was exceptional in 2025-26, including a stretch where he looked like his old MVP self. He averaged 26.9 points on 48.9% shooting, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 38 games.

    Then, when he appeared primed for a healthy postseason, Embiid was diagnosed with appendicitis and missed multiple games in the Sixers’ first-round series against the Boston Celtics. But then he showed flashes once again, powering the Sixers to a series win after they went down three games to one. He averaged 28 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in four games and the Sixers were 3-1 in games he played. And then he was drained as the Sixers were swept by the eventual champion New York Knicks. The highs and lows with Embiid are stark, but the highs are great enough that even a player like James could hold out hope.

    Mike Gansey (second from left) and Jameer Nelson (right) have been busy filling out the Sixers’ roster this summer.

    Competence in the front office

    Previous iterations of the Sixers tried to land James, but they weren’t always taken seriously. They had talent with Simmons and Embiid in 2018, but weren’t stout up top as Brett Brown served as interim president of basketball operations and head coach. Former president of basketball operations Daryl Morey took big swings in recent years but saw trades for Paul George and James Harden fail to lift the team.

    Things appear to have taken a turn this summer. Mike Gansey, Bob Myers and Jameer Nelson are at the helm and appear to be building a team that will compete in the Eastern Conference. Moves to bring in Brown, Wade, Ariel Hukporti, Anfernee Simons and rookie Labaron Philon Jr., have started to add balance to the Sixers roster and are a good sign for the forthcoming Sixers season. And there’s still a chance one big name could be added to the bunch.

  • Everything we learned from Jaylen Brown’s first stream since being traded to the Sixers

    Everything we learned from Jaylen Brown’s first stream since being traded to the Sixers

    The Jaylen Brown trade was a shock to everyone … including Jaylen Brown.

    The newest 76er finally spoke about the deal that sent him from the Boston Celtics to the Sixers in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks.

    Known for his social media presence in recent years, Brown took to his stream to read his statement, speak directly to fans, and explain a few behind-the-scenes details.

    Here are a few things we learned from Brown’s first public appearance since the blockbuster deal:

    VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey reached out

    It’s customary for players who join a new team to receive phone calls from their future teammates. So it wasn’t a shock that a few members of the Sixers reached out to Brown in the aftermath of the deal. While he likely was contacted by more members of the organization, he returned calls on stream from star guards VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey.

    “Guys hitting me so we ready to get to work,” Brown said after a brief call with Edgecombe.

    Maxey spoke to Brown with his typical high energy and enthusiasm. He grew more excited when he learned that he was live on stream, greeting the chat and proclaiming that he would pull up for a later recording. They ended the call talking basketball.

    “You know I’m locked in, man. Holla at me. I’m in the gym whenever,” Maxey said.

    “Aight, bet, we gone get in the gym,” Brown said.

    Brown’s key card no longer works in Boston

    Brown has played for one franchise for the last 10 years, so this experience is all new to him. So new that he wanted to make sure the trade was real after reports surfaced that he was dealt to Philly.

    Brown revealed that he drove to the Celtics’ facility and tried to use his key card. It did not work.

    “I went up to the facility, and my key card got rejected,” Brown said. “Damn, I just wanted to see if it was real. They packed me up, bro.”

    Brown’s experience has been compared to a viral video of former NFL safety Jamal Adams, whose key card didn’t work at the Jets facility after he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks.

    Joining the Sixers will be an adjustment

    The rivalry between Boston and Philly is real, and the hatred goes both ways.

    Brown said it will be an adjustment joining a rival of his former team. He admitted that the Celtics programmed him to dislike Philly.

    “For the last 10 years, I’ve been programmed to hate Philadelphia, from the history of the rivalry to the playoff battles, The Process,” Brown said, “like I’ve been programmed to be like [expletive] The Process. It’s funny now, I gotta reverse engineer.”

    Brown is not a fan of the media’s portrayal of him

    The Brown trade rumors unearthed the underbelly of narratives and projections about Brown’s play and revealed how harmful labels can be attached to a player.

    Brown addressed a number of media members he believes have slighted him, calling out ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, Fox broadcaster Colin Cowherd, and ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks by name.

    Marks shared on SiriusXM NBA Radio that an anonymous source told him they believed Brown was the “seventh-best player on a team,” which didn’t make the most sense after Brown willed Boston to the postseason last year and won an NBA title only two years ago.

    “They use ‘anonymous sources’ to hide behind things they actually feel, or to hide behind things that are actually bigotry,” Brown said, referring to talk that he thinks he is the smartest person in the room. “‘It’s not me, it’s my anonymous source’ but they don’t see the amount of damage that can do. … It’s my character. Critique my performance all you want, but the line gets crossed.”

  • The three biggest questions facing the Sixers as they head into 2026 NBA free agency

    The three biggest questions facing the Sixers as they head into 2026 NBA free agency

    This summer has brought back the NBA’s offseason fireworks, with star players being traded all over the league in anticipation of free agency and a 2026-27 season that could be anybody’s for the taking.

    The 76ers don’t look like a team that will participate in much of the action on the trade market or when free agency opens at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. They are pot committed to Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey, who will all play on max contracts into the foreseeable future.

    So what could this summer look like for the Sixers? How will they improve on the margins in a league where teams are constantly jockeying for position? Let’s take a look at the biggest storylines facing the Sixers entering NBA free agency …

    How can the Sixers improve this summer?

    The contracts of Embiid, Maxey, and George continue to hamper the franchise. VJ Edgecombe emerged sooner than expected and remains on his rookie deal. So the Sixers will enter Tuesday’s free agency with only so much they can accomplish. They have no choice but to run it back with their three stars and hope for better health and better support on the margins.

    Sixers free-agency primer: Players who could depart, possible outside targets, and more

    They’ll also need better performances from their stars, who were superb against the Boston Celtics as they manufactured a three-games-to-one comeback in the first round of the playoffs but struggled in the quick turnaround to the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks. Embiid missed Game 2 because of right hip soreness and a sprained right ankle, Maxey missed every shot he took from three in Game 1 (15.8% on 4.8 attempts per game for the series), and George missed the second half of multiple games after he failed to sustain hot starts. Those things can be changed in the summer only by rest, recovery, and returning to the drawing board.

    Sixers guards Kelly Oubre Jr., and Quentin Grimes are both set to hit free agency.

    Will they be able to re-sign Kelly Oubre Jr., and Quentin Grimes?

    This is the biggest question facing the Sixers this summer. They entered the summer $14.5 million below the tax and $22.5 million below the first apron. They’ve since declined the option of Trendon Watford. If they sign Oubre and Grimes, they’ll likely hit the first apron with the same team that finished seventh in the East last season.

    Based on the Sixers’ history of avoiding the luxury tax — including last season when they traded Jared McCain despite Embiid’s public plea — that result is unlikely. For reference, Oubre signed a two-year, $16.3 million deal and Grimes signed the one-year, $8.7 qualifying offer after failing to come to a deal as a restricted free agent. Both players expect a raise.

    Ben Simmons eyes NBA comeback and contemplates a return to the Sixers: ‘Maybe I’ll go back to Philly’

    Can they find a backup center?

    Andre Drummond and Adem Bona juggled a tough situation last season. Neither player knew what to expect from night to night because of Embiid’s health issues and sudden shifts in their roles. When Embiid did not play, Bona started and Drummond served as the backup. But when he was available, Drummond stepped into the backup role and Bona often didn’t play at all.

    That might not be the most tenable situation for Drummond, who will enter free agency this summer. It’s also not ideal for the Sixers, who are aware that the ideal backup will have the combined skills of Drummond and Bona.

  • Get to know Sixers’ first-round pick Labaron Philon Jr. away from the court

    Get to know Sixers’ first-round pick Labaron Philon Jr. away from the court

    The 76ers weren’t a lock to make a selection in the NBA draft, especially after former president of basketball operations Daryl Morey made it clear that he traded Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder with the intention of flipping the first-round selection they received in return.

    But the hiring of Mike Gansey in that same role brought a different philosophy, as the Sixers opted to keep their ears open to potential trades while also eyeing the best player available at No. 22. That turned out to be Labaron Philon Jr., an all-American at multiple levels who slipped on Tuesday night after previously being viewed as a lottery pick.

    Labaron Philon Jr. believes adaptability is one of his ‘biggest traits.’ Applying that with the Sixers begins now.

    Philon, a 6-foot-3, 176-pound guard, will join a promising backcourt led by Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Both players FaceTimed Philon on draft night and welcomed him to the team before also posting him on their personal social media profiles.

    His brand of basketball will be welcomed by a Sixers team that needed better ballhandling and outside shooting.

    We have plenty of time to get to know Philon on the court. Let’s take a beat to learn what he’s like away from it.

    After winning Alabama Mr. Basketball, Labaron Philon Jr. found his way to the Crimson Tide.

    He’s an Alabama legend.

    Philon was a three-year starter at Baker High School in Mobile, Ala., where he picked up every accolade possible. Philon averaged 35 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists as a junior, won Class 7A Player of the Year twice and was named Alabama Mr. Basketball.

    He added a little spice to the Alabama-Auburn rivalry.

    Philon’s recruitment was a big deal in the state of Alabama as he became the first Mr. Basketball to commit to Auburn. That changed shortly after, however, after changes to the staff led Philon to withdraw his commitment. He then signed with Kansas before reopening his recruitment one final time and joined the Crimson Tide. That, of course, added a little bit more juice to the legendary rivalry between Alabama and Auburn.

    Inside Labaron Philon Jr.’s draft night and unexpected fall to the ‘perfect spot’ with the Sixers

    The Crimson Tide came out on top this time, though, as Philon played a large part in their Elite Eight appearance in 2025 and shifted to a starring role as they reached the Sweet 16 in 2026. Philon also had a 3-1 record against the Tigers in his two college seasons.

    He made a big jump as a sophomore.

    Philon has described himself as a “ball hawk” on defense, and that is the role he played as a freshman with Alabama. While star Mark Sears led the Crimson Tide during their Elite Eight run, Philon averaged 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals.

    That flipped in his sophomore season as Philon became the focal point of the offense. He made a big jump to 22 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.2 steals. A major part of Philon’s rise was his decision to endure the draft process, take feedback, and apply it in his sophomore season, during which he made a concerted effort to improve his three-point shooting and playmaking.

    Sixers first-round draft pick Labaron Philon Jr. poses with his family after he was introduced at the team practice facility on Thursday in Camden.

    He slipped on draft night.

    Philon was considered a potential lottery pick and he appeared on mock drafts as early as No. 16. Yet he sat in the green room watching his peers get selected before him. When the Sixers’ pick came up at No. 22, they considered Philon the best player on the board, and his wait came to an end. The reaction from Philon made it clear that he either expected to be selected or was simply overcome with emotion as tears formed while he hugged family members.

    Free agency comes into focus for Sixers after leaving the draft with Labaron Philon Jr.

    He’s close to rapper NoCap, another Mobile native.

    Philon opted for a classic look on draft night, sporting a black and white suit and black-rimmed glasses. One accessory stood out, however, as he sported a large “16″ chain over his chest. Rapper NoCap, a fellow Mobile native, lent him the piece a couple of weeks ago for his big night. So it was fitting that he played music from NoCap and rap artist Lucki to start his day as he prepared for the draft.

  • First-round pick Labaron Philon Jr. brings ball-handling, shooting ability, and playmaking to the Sixers

    First-round pick Labaron Philon Jr. brings ball-handling, shooting ability, and playmaking to the Sixers

    NEW YORK — The 76ers entered the NBA draft fresh off a playoff series that exposed their roster shortcomings.

    That decisive second-round sweep by the New York Knicks showed that the franchise needed to double down on what it received from cornerstones Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Joel Embiid. They needed more speed, more scoring, more shooting, more rebounding, more everything.

    The Sixers’ first attempt at improving came with the selection of Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. at No. 22 overall on Tuesday, christening the Mike Gansey era as president of basketball operations.

    Sixers select Alabama guard Labaron Philon with the 22nd overall pick

    Let’s take a closer look at Philon’s career at Alabama, how he fits with the Sixers, and other areas of the Sixers’ roster that can still be addressed.

    What Philon brings to Philly

    Philon arrived at Alabama as a homegrown talent who proved to be a big-time scorer, earning Alabama’s Mr. Basketball high school honors.

    Before leaving town for Link Academy in Missouri for his senior season, Philon played three seasons at Baker High School in Mobile, Ala., and averaged 35 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists as a junior. That scoring ability didn’t immediately translate to college in his freshman season at Alabama, when he averaged 10.6 points, 3.3. rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 37 games.

    Alabama’s Labaron Philon (right) averaged 10.6 points, 3.3. rebounds and 3.8 assists in 37 games as a freshman.

    Philon realized that he didn’t put together a strong enough campaign to enter the NBA. He went through the process and returned to school for another year, where his tape was more undeniable. As a sophomore, Philon averaged 22 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5 assists. That was good enough to get buzz as a lottery pick before dropping to the Sixers at No. 22.

    Philon’s skill set features a crafty handle, ability to finish at the rim, and shooting range from deep. He can function in the screen-and-roll and is creative in open space. He made 57.4% of his two-pointers and 39.9% of his three-pointers last season, and those numbers are made more impressive by the fact that Philon was often the center of attention for Alabama and created a large share of his own shots.

    Why Mike Gansey’s sound process in selecting Labaron Philon Jr. bodes well for Sixers’ future

    Most important, Philon’s numbers weren’t empty calories. His production contributed to winning in both seasons for the Crimson Tide, as he helped direct a team that made the Elite Eight as a freshman and the Sweet 16 this past season. Each time his team met a No. 1 seed, losing to Cooper Flagg’s Duke team in 2024-25 and eventual champion Michigan in 2025-26.

    How Philon fits in Philly

    The Sixers have too many holes to fill in one draft. They entered Tuesday with voids in the backcourt and frontcourt. The franchise hit on Maxey and Edgecombe in recent drafts, but those stellar guards were near the top of the league in minutes played. Paul George and Embiid played inspired basketball at times when available, but they were not healthy nearly enough. George played only 37 games because of injury and suspension and Embiid called his 38 games played a “successful season” after he managed 19 games the season before.

    From AJ Dybantsa’s Paris-made suit to monochromatic looks, here were the best outfits from the NBA draft

    There were several players on the board who could have helped the Sixers when the 22nd pick rolled arrived. And several of them were names that slipped down the board as Arizona’s Koa Peat, Houston’s Chris Cenac Jr., and Philon were available. The Sixers appeared to take the best player available, as president of basketball operations Mike Gansey intimated that they would.

    During the draft process, Iowa sharpshooter Bennet Stirtz, who was picked 16th and joined former Sixer Jared McCain with the Oklahoma City Thunder, made a poignant statement. He said every team can use more shooters and ballhandlers. That’s what Philon will bring to Philly, another player who can create and score when Maxey goes to the bench.

    He’s adept at getting downhill and making buckets in the midrange and over bigger bodies, which will be needed on a Sixers team that received most of its scoring from four players. That he is a strong three-point shooter will be a bigger boon for the Sixers after trading McCain at the deadline in February and struggling to make shots from deep in the postseason.

    Alabama guard Labaron Philon (right) shot 39.9% from three as a sophomore.

    The Sixers also trotted Edgecombe out as a secondary ballhandler often in his rookie season. But that typically amounted to him creating offense for himself or initiating and getting out of the way. There wasn’t much in between as he continues to improve his ballhandling. Philon can take some of that pressure off Edgecombe and do more to find Embiid and George, who have grown more dependent on their teammates to get them the ball at this time of their careers.

    What the Sixers still need to address

    Rebounding was a major issue for the Sixers last season. As was on-ball defense and communication. As were turnovers. Those things won’t all be addressed in the draft or free agency. The Sixers can add reinforcements at forward to lower the usage of a smaller lineup around Embiid. They can also retain Kelly Oubre Jr. or Quentin Grimes to keep depth and talent on the wings.

    But because of their contract obligations, there are some things that can only be fixed from within. Maxey, George, and Embiid are all on max contracts, limiting who the Sixers can add to the roster. That means those players will have to do more. It’s hard to ask Maxey to be better than he was during the regular season, when he carried the franchise to the playoffs and earned All-Star and third-team All-NBA honors. That leaves George and Embiid, whose availability will remain the biggest factor in this team’s success.

  • Source: Guard Cam Payne rejoining Sixers for the rest of the season

    Source: Guard Cam Payne rejoining Sixers for the rest of the season

    The 76ers are bringing guard Cam Payne back to Philly as a pickup off the buyout market, a source confirmed Monday. The deal was first reported by SteinLine’s Marc Stein.

    Partizan Belgrade in Serbia announced Payne’s departure on social media, sharing a post that revealed his $1.75 million buyout. The Sixers can contribute only $875,000 to his release, Stein reports.

    Payne played with the Sixers in 2024 and averaged 9.3 points and 3.1 assists in 31 games. Team president Daryl Morey traded Patrick Beverley to Milwaukee in exchange for Payne and a second-rounder before the 2024 trade deadline.

    He served as a bench spark plug and offensive boost behind Tyrese Maxey. Payne, 31, should be expected to take on a similar role after the Sixers traded second-year guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder before the NBA trade deadline.

    A 10-year NBA veteran, Payne also has played for the Thunder, Bulls, Cavaliers, Suns, Bucks, and Knicks.

    The move strengthens a position the Sixers considered one of their strong points entering the season. With Maxey, McCain, VJ Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes in the backcourt to start the season, the Sixers expected their backcourt to carry them as stars Joel Embiid and Paul George rounded into form. Both players ended up being ahead of schedule as Embiid morphed back into All-Star form and George provided a steady hand as a key defender and ballhandler.

    But with George suspended 25 games for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy and McCain with the Thunder, the Sixers need reinforcements for the stretch run after All-Star break. Payne could provide that in short spurts.