Philadelphia 76ers president Mike Gansey revealed that buying Jaylen Brown was the important thing transfer that helped the franchise persuade LeBron James to hitch the crew, saying the All-Star ahead modified the outlook of Philadelphia’s roster.
“I referred to as Wealthy Paul straight away and stated, ‘Hey, we obtained Jaylen, is there an opportunity LeBron desires to return to us?’” Gansey stated. “‘This adjustments some issues.’ We don’t get LeBron with out Jaylen.”
The 76ers entered the 2026 offseason in search of a brand new path after firing former president of basketball operations Daryl Morey in Could. Gansey took over basketball operations and rapidly made a serious transfer by including Brown, which in the end created the chance to usher in James.
Philadelphia’s roster already featured a powerful basis with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Maxey led the crew throughout the 2025-26 season, averaging 28.3 factors, 6.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds whereas taking pictures 46.2% from the sphere and 36.7% from three-point vary in 70 video games.
Embiid averaged 26.9 factors, 7.7 rebounds and three.9 assists in 38 video games. Including Brown and James offers Philadelphia one other layer of elite perimeter expertise round its current core.
The 76ers completed the 2025-26 common season with a 45-37 file, incomes the No. 7 seed within the Jap Convention. Philadelphia superior previous the Boston Celtics in a seven-game first-round sequence earlier than being swept by the New York Knicks within the Jap Convention semifinals.
Brown’s arrival gave Philadelphia one other two-way wing able to defending prime perimeter gamers and creating offense. His addition additionally reportedly modified the notion of the roster round James, who was in search of one other alternative to compete for a championship late in his profession.
James joined Philadelphia after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers following the 2025-26 season. At age 41, he averaged 20.9 factors, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds over 60 video games whereas taking pictures 51.5% from the sphere.
The transfer offers the 76ers one of many league’s most skilled cores. James has received 4 NBA championships and 4 MVP awards, whereas Embiid is a former MVP and Maxey earned All-NBA recognition after his breakout season.
