Since the Celtics have yet to formally introduce any of their offseason additions — Paul George, Mitchell Robinson, and Mike Conley ― there’s been little discussion generation about how the team plans to move forward with their reshaped lineup and how much production can be expected from the oft-injured George.
So the conversation continues to focus on the 76ers side, where Jaylen Brown opened up about his fit with his new team and president of basketball operations Mike Gansey discussed adding LeBron James and suddenly becoming title contenders.
Brown joined a group of newcomers in Philadelphia that includes ex-Celtic Anfernee Simons, former Cavalier Dean Wade, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and big man Ariel Hukporti.
It was apparent the Celtics were not going to shift Brown’s role if he had stayed, despite his All-NBA season mostly without Jayson Tatum. In Philadelphia, he’ll be the third option at best behind mainstays Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
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Related: Jaylen Brown says he hasn’t spoken much to Jayson Tatum since 76ers trade
“To be honest, it doesn’t have to be anybody’s team,” Brown said. “It just needs to be based in respect and work, and that’s my approach. I want to earn everybody’s respect and trust, which takes time. You know what I mean? Obviously, it’s a lot of guys with talent and these egos, but to win, you got to be able to sacrifice. You got to be able to have trust and communication. So I’m going to come in transparent. I’m going to come in with my agenda on the table.”
An interesting development over the past week since the 76ers signed James was the impact of Brown’s acquisition. Gansey, a former Cleveland executive who played in the same high school circles as James 25 years ago, acknowledged the talks didn’t become serious until Brown joined.
“After the Jaylen thing, I couldn’t say it got real but I think we had a chance to be in the mix,” Gansey said. “We haven’t had a practice yet. We’re still 0-0. It’s going to take time to jell. I think we have a good group. Sacrifice is going to be a big word around [here]. The highs are high and we’re excited. We’ve got to figure it out but it definitely makes me pinch myself.”
Related: Ranking the top five teams in the Eastern Conference after 76ers’ big summer
Since the departure of Allen Iverson in the mid-2000s, the 76ers have valiantly tried to return to the elite of the Eastern Conference. They’ve reached the playoffs eight of the past nine years but have yet to reach the conference finals. There have been a series of questionable acquisitions — such as James Harden and George, injuries to Embiid, and the rapid declines of Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz.
This summer has served as a reboot for the franchise, with Gansey appearing giddy to acquire Brown and fast track a resurgence.
“This is what I want to do. I want to win, and we can figure out how to respectfully move around each other,” Brown said. “But it takes a level of time to develop and earn respect from each other. But my approach has always been my work ethic. Like being the first to the gym, being in the film room. I’m looking forward to learning from LeBron. I’m looking forward to learning from all those guys. Even LeBron, just everything that he’s endured during his career, on and off the floor. One of my favorite things to do is learn. I can’t wait to just soak up as much information as I can and apply it to myself.”
Embiid is claiming to be healthy after a season where he missed 44 games and then faded quickly after a dominant playoff stretch against the Celtics.
“When I got the job I went over there and he said ‘I want to have a great year. I want to get back to All-NBA Joel,’” Gansey said. “He’s super motivated and we’re very, very excited.”
It seemed Brown was heartened by the adulation he received in his first official appearance in Philadelphia. It’s been 43 years since the franchise has won a championship. Gansey was about 6 months old then.
The city is starving for a basketball winner and there will be pressure and expectations for a franchise that has grossly underachieved the past two decades.
“As someone who’s competed against Philadelphia for a large amount of time, one thing I can say is the fanbase here is incredible,” Brown said. “They really get behind the guys. It’s one of the harder playing arenas to be in with the intensity level, with the engagement. So with the fans, you can tell that they love the city and the team here. So that’s the first thing that you notice. And then other than that, the talent level. It’s always been talented players that have come through Philadelphia since I’ve been in the league, and this team now is no different. So being able to watch some of these guys from afar, Maxey, Embiid, etc., and developing their careers, and even having a relationship with them, even before I got here, it’s nothing but respect. So I’m looking forward to the journey.”
Victor Wembanyama helped the Spurs keep some payroll flexibility with his contract extension.
Victor Wembanyama helped the Spurs keep some payroll flexibility with his contract extension.
CONTENDER CALL: PART 2
Early survey of the West
Last week, we projected the top five teams in the Eastern Conference, now it’s time for the West, where the race for No. 1 is more challenging.
1. Spurs: After blowing multiple games in the NBA Finals and allowing the Knicks to expose some key weaknesses, the Spurs appear primed for another deep run. Victor Wembanyama did his franchise a favor taking more than $50 million less than he could’ve asked for in his rookie contract extension, allowing for future flexibility for Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. The hope is De’Aaron Fox comes back healthy and more productive than in the Finals and Tobias Harris will add a veteran presence. The Spurs also have shown the ability to consistently beat their rivals, the Thunder.
2. Thunder: It’s been an interest offseason for the Thunder, who had to pare payroll to accommodate extensions for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. They moved Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe in trades and are relying on Jared McCain and first-round pick Aday Mara to help with support. With two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander along with Williams and Holmgren, the Thunder remain one of the elite teams in the West.
Related: Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr. talks surrendering his number to Paul George and the stability of his new three-year deal
3. Timberwolves: The time is coming for the Timberwolves to make a serious title run and they’ve retooled their backcourt by acquiring LaMelo Ball to join Anthony Edwards. The deal cost Minnesota the valuable Naz Reid, but the hope is a ballhandler in his prime with the creativity of Ball will benefit Edwards. Minnesota didn’t make many other moves, and it will be relying on Terrence Shannon Jr. and Ayo Dosunmu to assume bigger roles with Donte DiVincenzo likely out for the season with an Achilles tear.
4. Rockets: The last two seasons have been disappointing in Houston with consecutive first-round playoff elimination. But there is hope. Fred VanVleet will return after missing last season with an ACL tear and former Celtic Marcus Smart was added to supplement the backcourt for coach Ime Udoka. Kevin Durant returns for a 19th season and the hope is he gets adequate support from Jabari Smith and Amen Thompson. Steven Adams also returns from season-ending ankle surgery, so the Rockets will benefit from good health as well as their younger core developing.
5. Nuggets: The Nuggets were forced to delve into the second apron by signing restricted free agent Spencer Jones to a two-year deal and they’ll also have to figure out the status of restricted free agent Peyton Watson. If they do bring back the athletic prospect, the Nuggets have a chance to make an impact but it seems superstar Nikola Jokic is getting impatient with the team’s lack of progress. This could be a pivotal season in Denver.
ETC.
Salary cap concerns
In continuing our conversation with player agent Greg Lawrence, there are concerns about the future of NBA salaries because teams — including the Celtics — are refraining from that third contract extension: the two-year, $140-plus million deal Brown, Tatum, and others are eligible for.
Karl-Anthony Towns is up for a four-year, $272 million contract, meaning the Knicks would have to commit nearly $70 million to one player and then consider the future of superstar Jalen Brunson, who has two years left on his deal before a player option for $43.3 million.
There is a belief among agents and players that salaries will rise to the point where quality players will become too expensive and eventually traded. While player salaries have never been higher, certain teams are beginning to determine that the luxury taxes and other limitations when budgets exceed the first and second aprons are not worth the cost, regardless of the players’ talent.
What’s ironic about the second apron and team owners outside of Golden State seeking to avoid another Warriors dynasty is how they were built with good fortune. Stephen Curry signed a below-market extension because of early-career ankle issues and that allowed for deals for Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, while the salary cap expansion after the 2016 CBA opened up the opportunity to add Kevin Durant. It was a once-in-a-generation occurrence.
“Teams are going to be forced to just start giving these players away because of the constraints of the system, and I don’t think that’s good,” Lawrence told the Globe. “I don’t think it’s good for the fans, but it’s the effect of the system. It’s very difficult when even with the Knicks or the Celtics two years ago where you put together a great team you win a championship, and then two days after the championship, [New York] ownership’s talking about well, we’re not going to be able to keep everybody. We got to get rid of guys, and not that we don’t value them, not that they aren’t great players and contributors and valuable, but yeah, don’t expect this team to be back together. I don’t think that’s good. I don’t think that’s good for the game.”
Knicks owner James Dolan made it clear New York was not going to enter the second apron to re-sign Robinson, so the valuable center signed with the Celtics.
☘️ Broke a Wilt Chamberlain record
☘️ Grew up hooping in a historic gym
☘️ Shares a heartwarming bond with his HS coach
Five facts about Mitchell Robinson ⤵️ https://t.co/Tz0VvP8HTP
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 7, 2026
The next CBA talks are scheduled to resume in 2029 when the players have an opt-out. Agents are essentially standing on the sideline, unable to impact the relationship between their clients and the league.
“In previous CBA negotiations, there have been agents that have banded together,” Lawrence said. “We’ve tried to go that route, and I’m sure it’ll happen again. You know, to some extent, it’s going to be how much does the union involve the agents. I think there hasn’t been a lot in the past, and they’ve kind of minimized the communication and the involvement. I’m sure that will happen again. But at the same time, I think it really comes down to the players saying enough is enough. Players being educated by both their agent, but also the union on changes that need to be made. What are the consequences if they’re not made? And the players have to stand up. I don’t think you’re going to find an agent that would say they’re a fan of the new CBA or the current system.”
The NBPA has three years to prepare a game plan to change the current structure. There is going to be pushback from the league.
“Agents are rivals, and it certainly is a cutthroat business but I think we would all agree that this system is not benefiting the players,” Lawrence said. “Ultimately if the owners know that the players are not going to fight, and are not going to stand up and be willing to put their feet in the ground on issues, they will just wait them out, and continue to just chip away at it. It’s hard for these players’ careers are very short, and so they’re concerned about ‘How can I maximize my career in this short window that I have?’ So it is difficult to get a player to say, ‘Look, you know, we want you to do this. We may not see the effects of it for in your career, but this is for the greater good. This is going to benefit players down the road.’ My hope is that we’re at a place where it’s gotten to be something that they are truly willing to stand up and fight for.”
Doc Rivers will have some of his former Celtics players present him at his Hall of Fame induction.
Doc Rivers will have some of his former Celtics players present him at his Hall of Fame induction.
Layups
After getting Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to commit to being his presenters at the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, Doc Rivers got a pledge from Ray Allen, who will join his former Celtics teammates to introduce Rivers into the Hall next Saturday. Presenters have to be Hall of Famers and it’s another opportunity for Rivers’s Big Three to reunite. The trio came together at Garnett’s jersey retirement in 2022 after some ill feelings following Allen’s free agent departure to the Heat … After waiving former All-Star DeMar DeRozan, making him a free agent, the Kings have to decide what to do with another ex-All-Star in Zach LaVine, who opted into the final year of his contract at near $49 million. Sacramento is in a youth movement and would have preferred LaVine opt out of the contract and then send him to a preferred team in a sign-and-trade deal. But with such a heavy price tag, LaVine will be harder to trade until the deadline when teams are seeking expiring contracts and salary cap space. The Kings are ready to shift away from their top two highest-paid players in LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, who will earn $94 million over the next two years. Former lottery pick Keegan Murray signed his rookie extension, while De’Andre Hunter enters this season on an expiring contract. Sacramento is shedding big salaries for the hope of eventually being a free agent player. LaVine is only 31 and has put up big offensive numbers in his career but it has never equated to winning. He could help a contender with his athleticism and scoring prowess … A recent federal injunction forced the NCAA to allow players from the high school class of 2022 to play a fifth year, if desired. That impacted Celtics second-round pick Dillon Mitchell, who could have returned to St. John’s and helped the Red Storm make a Final Four run. Mitchell agreed to a two-way contract with the Celtics on Thursday, ensuring he’s part of the 2026-27 roster. NIL made this a difficult decision because Mitchell could have earned more money with St. John’s than the Celtics, but it also could have delayed his career a year and he’ll be 23 in October. He joins Amari Williams on those part-time NBA deals.