Philadelphia was the biggest winner this offseason — landing Jaylen Brown and LeBron James to go with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid — and with that, there are already a lot of news and rumors around the team heading into the season. Here are a few.
Brown threw phone when told of trade
Jaylen Brown is excited to be a 76er and chase a ring in Philadelphia.
That was not his initial reaction. Brown was drafted by Boston, won a championship there and had invested his time and money in the community. He didn’t just show up to collect a paycheck. So, unsurprisingly, when he talked at his introductory press conference about getting the call that told him he was traded, he described frustration, with the quote via Noah Levick at NBC Sports Philadelphia.
“When I first (learned) I got traded, I just threw my phone across the room,” he said with a laugh… “I think Maxey reached out to me first. He reached out and was like, ‘I know it’s a lot of stuff going on right now, but we’re excited to have you.'”…
“There’s been a lot of emotions,” he said. “It’s been a process. To be honest, I’m still processing to some degree. One, the excitement of coming to a new city, new place, new expectations, new energy. And then also leaving somewhere that you’ve been for a very, very long time.”
One thing that will help with that will be workouts with teammates in the coming weeks, and eventually the start of training camp.
LeBron the connector
The expectation is that LeBron James will be the “point guard” for Philadelphia this season, although the better way to describe that may be that he will be the one initiating the offense.
Team president Mike Gansey spoke about it on ESPN.
“LeBron’s a connector. That’s the one thing about him. He fits every role you possibly can. He’s gonna elevate everyone in the whole building…
“When LeBron was maybe a possibility, I went back and watched some of the Olympic tape with [Embiid] and LeBron. Those two played pretty well together. We have so many different options. Any given night anyone can be the guy. So I think once we get clicking and get gelling, it’s gonna be fun to watch.”
Gansey also was honest about needing the first domino to fall before LeBron would come.
“Without getting Jaylen, I don’t think we get LeBron.”
Veterans want to get in
The 76ers have 14 players on the roster heading into training camp, and that’s likely where things will stay. Philadelphia is hard-capped at the first apron and is $1.8 million below that number as it stands, meaning they can’t add even a veteran minimum deal right now.
Still, a couple of veterans are throwing their hats in the ring.
Kevin Love’s agent has reached out to the 76ers, reports Dave McMenamin at ESPN.
“Though the 6-foot-10 Love and James have remained close since teaming up for four seasons with the Cavaliers and even vacationed extensively together this summer, that bond doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a roster spot for the former five-time All-Star by training camp.”
Markieff Morris says that roster spot should be his.
Again, Philly would have to waive Jabari Walker, who is just partially guaranteed (that’s not happening), or trade a player to have the cap space to sign anyone. Don’t bet on it. This is the roster entering the season.
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