Photo: All-Pro Reels / wikimedia (BY-SA 2.0)
Sixers executive Bob Myers described the behind-the-scenes negotiations that brought Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia and revealed what he told the former Celtic in their first conversation after the trade.
Myers appeared on the Cousins podcast with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady this week. He offered a window into how the deal came together and what Brown’s arrival means for a franchise that has repeatedly stalled in the second round of the playoffs.
How Myers read Brad Stevens’ signals
Myers said the first step was figuring out whether Boston was genuinely open to moving Brown.
“You start hearing there was a possibility, and the job then became is this a real thing with Jaylen Brown? Is it a real thing? I think Brad Stevens is one of the most straight shooters in the league.”
Myers contrasted Stevens with other executives who might tell a counterpart what he wants to hear or outright lie. When Stevens responded to the Sixers’ inquiry by asking what they were offering, Myers said that was the signal a deal was possible.
“So when Brad Stevens responded with, what are you offering? Then you knew that there was a shot. And so then it becomes 50 conversations towards one. Both organizations did a great job not leaking that, which is literally impossible.”
The trade announcement came completely out of left field. Both front offices guarded the talks tightly. Myers credited Mike Gansey and others on the Sixers’ side for recognizing how motivated Boston was to move on from Brown and securing a favorable package.
Myers’ message: ‘Use that with this team’
Myers spoke with Brown the day after the trade was finalized and delivered a pointed message about what Philadelphia needed from him.
“We needed an edge, and I think Jaylen Brown sets an edge. To win a championship, you need guys that are of that ilk, that are comfortable being uncomfortable. I talked to him the day after and said, ‘don’t ever underestimate that you are a champion. And that there is power in that, so use that with this team.’ And I said, we need you to lead, so I’m going to ask you to lead.”
Brown is one of only 37 players to win a Finals MVP award. Combined with LeBron James, who chose the Sixers in free agency earlier this offseason, Philadelphia now has two players with multiple NBA Finals appearances and championship experience.
A core built to get past the second round
For a Sixers group that has been repeatedly eliminated before the conference finals, the addition of Brown and James addresses a gap that talent alone could not fill. Both have been through the highest-pressure situations the league offers and come out the other side with rings.
Myers earlier this offseason appeared on the Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul and pitched LeBron James coming to Philadelphia. James ultimately signed with the Sixers.
The full interview is available on the Cousins podcast.