News of the Sixers’ trade agreement for star wing Jaylen Brown sent shock waves across the basketball world, as it marks the dissolution of one of the most successful NBA partnerships of the generation.
Brown’s game is often scrutinized, but he’s coming off one of the most successful individual seasons of his career and he will bring attributes the Sixers desperately need to make their offense more dangerous, Adam Aaronson writes for the Philly Voice.
Brown’s tough shot-making should help Philadelphia achieve one of its primary goals – being less reliant on Joel Embiid‘s creation – and should allow the team to be more competitive when Embiid is off the floor. The longtime Celtics wing is also a strong on-ball defender and should be able to boost the Sixers’ perimeter defense, given his combination of size and speed.
As Aaronson writes, potential causes for concern include the diminished rim pressure volume Brown displayed last season, in conjunction with some questionable shot selection and struggles as an off-ball defender.
The important part is that the Sixers will be a better basketball team as a result of the trade, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic. Brown functions as a three-level scoring threat and is significantly more durable than Paul George, which is crucial for a team still reliant on Embiid. Just how good Philadelphia can be in 2026/27 will come down to how well Brown meshes with his new big man co-star.
We have more from around the Atlantic Division:
- Brown’s former Celtics co-star Jayson Tatum took to Instagram to offer a farewell to his teammate of nine seasons and championship partner. “Forever grateful for all that we accomplished together, for pushing me to be a better player,” Tatum wrote, as relayed by Bobby Manning of Celtics CLNS (via Twitter). “From first round exits to winning a chip together, I’m thankful for it all. Nothing but love and respect for you as a player and as a person.” The 28-year-old Tatum, who is looking to come into next season fully recovered from his Achilles tear, will be entering his first NBA season without Brown.
- Whether or not anything comes from the rumored mutual interest between the Sixers and top free agent LeBron James, the fact that they’re in the conversation at all speaks well of the offseason they’ve had, Jones writes for The Athletic. The Sixers seemed stuck heading into the offseason but suddenly can make a real fit-based pitch for James’ services, even if they still remain something of a long shot. That alone signals that the team is moving in the right direction.
- After missing his first two Summer League games, it’s unclear whether Nets rookie guard Mikel Brown Jr.‘s will make his debut on Monday, according to Summer League head coach Dutch Gaitley. “That is above my pay grade,” Gaitley said, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post (Twitter link). “I think the plan is that he is going to play; but I don’t make the final decisions.” The specific reason Brown sat out the first two games is unclear, though he missed a good amount of time in his lone college season due to a back injury.
