Signing LeBron, focusing on the ‘process of winning’
Not long after Brown’s move was announced, Philadelphia made arguably the biggest acquisition in franchise history by signing LeBron James to a two-year, $8 million contract. With James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia isn’t just adding a four-time NBA champion and multiple-time league MVP, but also securing the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
“LeBron, he’s active in the group chat, so we’re just trying to all get on the same page,” Brown said.
Brown, James and Maxey are teaming up with former MVP Joel Embiid, NBA All-Rookie First Team member VJ Edgecombe and multiple free agent signings: two-time NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ariel Hukporti, who won a ring with the New York Knicks last season, Anfernee Simons and Dean Wade.
“I think everybody knows how incredible the opportunity that we have [is], but we’ve also got to put in the work,” Brown said. “My focus is on putting in the work, earning the respect from the city, from the coaching staff, everything, like it take[s] time. I understand how that process of winning works. You’ve got to build from the foundation and build up. You can’t skip steps, so we’re not skipping those steps, we start early.”
Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Josh Harris was posted at Jaylen Brown’s introductory press conference at the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center on Aug. 6, 2026. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
The Sixers also added Labaron Philon Jr. with the 22nd pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Philon averaged 22 points per game with the Alabama Crimson Tide, which earned him All-America Third Team and All-SEC First Team honors.
The team’s front office also saw a major shakeup with Mike Gansey, former Cleveland Cavaliers general manager, becoming the Sixers’ new president of basketball operations. He’s replacing Daryl Morey, who was let go after he and managing partner Josh Harris decided it was “time for a fresh start,” according to the Associated Press.
Mike Gansey, the Philadelphia 76ers’ president of basketball operations, was on site at the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center on Aug. 6, 2026, for Jaylen Brown’s introductory press conference. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Brown’s first appearance in a Sixers uniform could possibly be in an Oct. 10 preseason matchup against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. The Sixers will play at Xfinity Mobile Arena in another preseason game on Oct. 16. The 2026-2027 NBA season will kick off later that month, but the full regular season schedule has not yet been released.
The Sixers haven’t won an NBA championship since 1983. Featuring Basketball Hall of Famers Julius Erving, Bobby Jones and Moses Malone, Philadelphia swept the Lakers in the Finals and went 65-17 in the regular season.