Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) on the court before game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) on the court before game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
If all goes according to plan, the Philadelphia 76ers can look back at this offseason as perhaps the most consequential in franchise history. Not only did they acquire Jaylen Brown in a trade, but they also landed LeBron James.
It turns out that Brown coming to Philly first enabled them to go for LeBron. According to 76ers President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey, they wouldn't have taken a chance had it not been for Brown, per Erin Grugan of SB Nation. Gansey, while in attendance for the Phillies game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park, said so to NBC Sports Philadelphia hosts Tom McCarthy and John Kruk.
“The Jaylen Brown trade, if that doesn't happen, I don't think we get that, that guy that we got,” he said. “But we're excited.”
Mike Gansey said the Sixers likely wouldn’t have signed LeBron James without the Jaylen Brown trade 🙏
(h/t @eringrugan) pic.twitter.com/ZpcotsOW9U
Brown came to the 76ers after playing ten years with the Boston Celtics. The 76ers had defeated the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs after trailing 3-1 in the series. Shortly thereafter, they snatched up Brown. Afterward, Brown expressedfeeling disrespected by the Boston front office, culminating in his being traded.
As James was going through his free-agent journey, he expressed his support for Brown. James was navigating interests from different contending teams. Now, James and Brown will play alongside Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Joel Embiid, with heightened expectations of contending for an NBA championship.
Gansey is a former professional player turned executive. He had previously served as general manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers.