Jaylen Brown revealed he was in sheer disbelief when he was traded to the 76ers. So much so that he chucked his phone.
The five-time All-Star was introduced to the Philadelphia media on Thursday and discussed how he found out he was being traded.
“When I first got traded I just threw my phone across the room,” Brown told reporters of his reaction to the July deal that sent him from Boston to Philly.
“Who [reached out] first? It might have been [Tyrese] Maxxey. … He reached out and was like, ‘I know there’s a lot of stuff going on right now, but we [are] excited to have you.'”
Jaylen Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to the media at Francis J. Myers Recreation Center on Thursday, August 6, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images
Brown was acquired by the 76ers after much speculation about where he’d play in 2026-27. In return, the Celtics got Paul George, two first-round draft picks and two second-round draft picks.
Brown added that he’s still processing the news. He said the excitement of being in a new city with new expectations hasn’t worn off.
He also pointed out that he was in Boston for 10 years, over a third of the 29-year-old’s life to this point, and has to get used to his new normal.
A large part of his Celtics experience was shared with Jayson Tatum, and their relationship was rumored to have deteriorated throughout the past few seasons.
Brown, however, said Thursday that he leaves Tatum with nothing but respect.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown poses for a photo during his introductory press conference. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“We won a championship together,” Brown said. “Anybody that you win a championship with, you think that’s what a brotherhood or a lifelong legacy would entail.
“Obviously, there’s ups and downs in any type of relationship, for sure. On my end, there’s nothing but respect. Besides when he plays for the Sixers, I hope he does well.”
Another relationship brought into the limelight after the trade was Brown and 76ers star Joel Embiid.
“It’s been good,” Brown said about his relationship with Embiid. “Me and Joel been friends throughout the years, have mutual respect. I know he loves soccer, I love soccer, so we talk about that a lot.”
At least one Knicks assistant won’t be back next year.
Carson Shanks, who spent the last three years with the Knicks as an assistant, won’t be returning. His contract expired this offseason, according to a league source.
He most recently served as the team’s assistant director of video/analytics and player development. A 7-footer who played college basketball at North Dakota and Loyola Chicago, he often worked with the team’s big men in warmups.
“3 years of the Mecca, 3 years of the City, 3 years of being a New York Knick, and most importantly, 3 years of Memories and Relationships that’ll never go away,” Shanks posted on Instagram. “The Garden shaking and sharing it with family, the sounds of the city during the parade, the taste of that champagne, the feel of the Larry O’Brien trophy, things I’ll have forever.
“SO excited for what is next, but thank you New York for 3 of the best years of my life.”
All of coach Mike Brown’s front-of-the-bench assistants are expected to be back next year, though there could be some other movement further down the pecking order.
He didn’t shy away, however, from hints that his final days there weren’t without challenges.
During a Twitch stream in early July, Brown had said he felt there was “a bit of a lack of respect” during trade talks and discussions of Brown’s future, adding that he “wasn’t thrilled” with the way Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens “facilitated some of the conversations.”
When asked Thursday, Aug. 6 what bothered him about his final days with the Celtics, Brown wanted to look forward.
“The whole process,” Brown said. “But to be honest, my mind is so focused on what’s in front of me. I’m moving on. Maybe one day we can share the details of how everything transpired and all the moving parts that took place in this. Obviously, it’s a lot of speculation; I feel no need to chime in on it because I’m focused on what’s in front of me.”
Brown did say that he looks back on his time as a Celtic with gratitude from the city and how it helped him develop as a person. Brown also added the he’ll continue to be active in the Boston community.
Brown revealed that when he first learned of the trade from Boston to Philadelphia, he threw his phone across the room, though he did not elaborate on the emotions behind that.
There has been speculation that the relationship between Brown and Celtics star Jayson Tatum had become strained. The two were teammates in Boston for nine seasons, and the pair won the 2024 NBA Finals, with Brown winning Finals Most Valuable Player.
“We won a championship together,” Brown said when asked how he would characterize his relationship with Tatum. “So anybody that you win a championship with, you would think that’s a brotherhood or a life-long legacy would entail. Obviously, there’s ups and downs in any relationship, for sure. But on my end, there’s nothing but respect. Besides when he plays the Sixers, I hope he does well. But other than that, everything for me is just based in respect.”
When asked if the two had been able to talk, Brown responded: “Not really.”
The 76ers and Celtics completed the trade July 1, with Philadelphia sending Paul George, two first-round draft picks and two second-round selections back to Boston.
“People attacked my character,” Brown added. “Someone even went as far and said I had a disease. So it has been a crazy transition, to be honest. But none of it is completely surprising, even though some of these things were said externally. Internally and through the organization, there had been conversations. I wasn’t that surprised.”
Brown held his press conference at the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center in the Kingessing neighborhood of Southwest Philadelphia, opting to bypass the session being held at the 76ers facility and choosing to introduce himself to the city’s community. He also invited local children to attend.
“For me, and people who know my family and I, we are rooted in the community,” Brown said. “That space – that’s where we hang our hat, is being able to affect other people’s lives. We’re very blessed. We’ve been able to help our own family and be able to change the course of what our generation and our family name can possibly do, but we look forward to being able to impact others and being able to touch families and households that we may never get to see.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: The New Balance basketball shoes of Vladislav Goldin #50 of the Miami Heat during their 2026 California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center on July 05, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thien-An Truong/Getty Images) | Getty Images
DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 12: Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates a three point shot against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at American Airlines Center on April 12, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Positioned directly in the dog days of summer, it’s prime time for teams to bluff like crazy, which appears to be what the Mavericks are doing.
One of the latest developments this offseason is a potential Klay Thompson-Lakers pairing. The veteran sharpshooter was once a free agent target in a different era for the purple and gold. After changes in both Dallas and Los Angeles, he could be back on the market late this summer with the Lakers interested.
Entering the final year of his contract, Thompson is a prime buyout candidate. Teams are aware of this and are lining up for him, with the Lakers included among them.
However, Dallas is also aware of that interest and is definitely not bluffing that they’ll keep Thompson and trade him. For now, that is their stance, as reported by Jake Fischer on a recent Bleacher Report video (emphasis added).
“To this point, Dallas has not been looking to find a buyout agreement with Klay Thompson. He’s got one year left on a three-year, $51 million deal that he signed two seasons ago when he left the Golden State Warriors, the franchise he won four championships with, of course…Klay Thompson very nearly chose the Los Angeles Lakers with then LeBron James over joining Dallas originally to pair with Luka Doncic and where’s Luka Doncic right now? Of course, with the Lakers. There’s plenty of connective tissue there that makes sense here. The only thing is, the Mavericks have been very resistant, to my understanding, of actually moving forward and agreeing to a buyout with Klay Thompson. They believe this market that’s shaping up for him, the fact that there is some LA interest, the fact that there is Miami interest. There’s probably other places that have interest in Klay Thompson as well.”
This is always the silly portion of this process. The team pretends they’re not going to buy out a player and trade him because of the interest in the player. But the interest in the player only exists if they’re bought out. So a team has to pretend they won’t buy him out while no one gives them a trade proposal.
As things stand, Thompson seems set for a buyout. Whether the Lakers have interest from that point does remain in the air. They already have too many players on the roster before signing him and likely wouldn’t guarantee him more like a spot off the bench.
Miami, meanwhile, seems like a place that could offer him a bigger role. It also becomes a question of how much he wants to play in Los Angeles.
Eventually, it seems like all that will be up for debate. But, for now, the Mavericks are going to continue bluffing.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Jaylen Brown attends a game between the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers on July 11, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Just over a month after he was traded from the Celtics to Philadelphia, Jaylen Brown was officially introduced as a member of the 76ers on Thursday afternoon.
“I’m excited to just be myself,” Brown said, sitting at the podium of the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center. “I think that’s one thing that I can promise the city and the organization and coaching staff that I’m coming every single day to be myself with my best foot forward. Be with my integrity, my mentality, and be with my capacity and my ability to win. We’ll figure out the X’s and O’s.”
In his introductory press conference, Brown fielded more than 20 minutes of questions from a press corps that included dozens of Philadelphia reporters, as well as a slew of Boston media members who made the trip to Pennsylvania to watch the longtime Celtic and former Finals MVP turn the page in his illustrious career.
Brown touched on his excitement about the prospect of bringing a title to Philadelphia, and spoke candidly about how crazy of a summer it had been, getting traded to a rival franchise that eliminated the Celtics just a few weeks ago.
He fielded questions about his eagerness to mentor rising sophomore VJ Edgecombe, who will be the youngest standout among a talented pool of stars. He spoke candidly about his excitement about the prospect of learning from LeBron James. And he shared how quickly franchise cornerstones Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid reached out to him after the trade.
But, though Brown’s press conference mostly centered around the 76ers — and the organization’s title aspirations — he also reflected a bit on his Boston tenure.
For one, he was asked which part of the trade process he felt was disrespectful, something he previously stated on the Twitch stream.
“The whole process,” he said.
“But to be honest, my mind is so focused on what’s in front of me. To be honest, I’m moving on. Maybe one day, I’ll share the details and how everything transpired and all the moving parts that took place in this. Obviously, it’s a lot of speculation. I feel no need to chime in on it because I’m focused on what’s important.”
Jaylen Brown on what bothered him about the trade from #Celtics:
"The whole process… To be honest, I'm moving on. Maybe one day we share the details of how everything transpired."
Throughout the press conference, though Brown never mentioned explicitly mentioned the Celtics, he frequently showed appreciation for the decade he spent in Boston.
“I look back at the city of Boston, and I’m grateful,” he said. “I’ve been able to develop as a man, as a human being here.”
“The relationships are still there, so are the connections. I’m very grateful for my ten years in Boston. I have nothing but respect for Boston, but it’s time to move forward.”
Notably, Brown was also asked about his relationship with Jayson Tatum, which has been hotly scrutinized for much of the past decade — and especially over the last weeks, in the aftermath of the trade.
“We won a championship together,” Brown said. “So anybody that you win a championship with, that’s what you know a brotherhood or a lifelong legacy would entail. Obviously, just ups and downs in any type of relationship for sure. But on my end, it’s nothing but respect. Besides for when he plays the Sixers, I hope he does well. But other than that, everything for me is just based on respect.”
Jaylen Brown, when asked if he has been able to talk to Jayson Tatum: "Not really"
"We won a championship together… Obviously there's ups and downs in any type of relationship. On my end, it's nothing but respect."
Brown was also asked if he and Tatum have been able to talk since the trade.
“Not really,” he said.
Jaylen Brown extensively spoke about his desire to win in Philly
Sitting in front of a Philadelphia 76ers backdrop for the first time, Brown has made one thing clear: his top priority is to win.
“My focus is winning,” he said. “Obviously, other people’s focus can be scoring. My focus going into every practice, every meeting, every shootaround, every film session is: how do we win night in and night out? So sometimes that may change, sometimes it may look different, but whatever it takes. At no point, at this point in my career, nothing else has really moved me.
“I don’t care about the outside success. I never did, you know what I mean? I don’t care about the MVP awards or finals MVP. None of that stuff really moves me. It’s nice. The only thing that’s gonna move me is doing something collectively — so a championship. So that’s what I’m looking forward to, trying to start that journey and building towards. But all the other stuff that comes along with it is just a distraction.
The new-look 76ers are loaded with talent. Their expected starting lineup includes a four-time Finals MVP in LeBron James, a Finals MVP in Jaylen Brown, a former MVP in Joel Embiid, a two-time All-Star in Tyrese Maxey, and one of last year’s top rookies in VJ Edgecombe.
Brown was asked about that loaded roster and how the leadership dynamics will be worked out.
“To be honest, it doesn’t have to be anybody’s team,” he said. “It just needs to be based in respect and work, and that’s kind of my approach. I want to earn everybody’s respect and trust, which takes time. Obviously, it’s a lot of guys with talent, egos — but to win, you’ve got to be able to sacrifice.”
Though Brown did admit he threw his phone across the room shortly after news of the trade broke, nearly five weeks later, he sounded at peace with how things played out.
“I’m very grateful for my experience, my team here in Boston; 10 years is a perfect cycle, perfect number for completion,” Brown said. “We won a championship, and I have nothing but respect for the city of Boston. But now it’s time to move forward a little bit.”
News broke late Tuesday evening that former UConn star and Milwaukee Bucks wing Andre Jackson Jr. signed a deal with the Toronto Raptors ahead of training camp for the 2026-27 NBA season.
Jackson played three seasons in Storrs from 2020-23 and helped lead UConn to its fifth national championship in 2023, where he stuffed the stat sheet in 36 games with 6.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG & 4.7 APG. The Amsterdam, New York, native played 85 games in a Husky uniform before declaring for the draft after the title run.
Following UConn’s championship, Jackson was scooped up by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 36th pick in the second round in the 2023 NBA Draft. He spent the next three seasons in Milwaukee in all types of roles. His best season came his second year in 2024-25, when he played in 67 games with 43 starts and averaged 3.4 PPG and 2.7 RPG. Last season, he only played 8.5 MPG across 48 appearances, collecting many DNPs from head coach Doc Rivers.
Jackson is looking for a fresh start north of the border, but he is going to have to earn it. Toronto has all but one of its roster spots filled out heading into training camp, so he will be fighting for the final roster spot. The contract itself is an Exhibit 10 contract, meaning it’s a one-year, non-guaranteed contract that gives the Raptors his G-League rights should he not make the opening night roster.
UConn had nine players suit up in the NBA last season and is adding Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban to the list, but losing Tyrese Martin after he signed with FC Barcelona overseas. If Jackson plays any minutes in either Toronto or with another team in the NBA this year, UConn would more likely than not have 10 players record minutes in the association in a single season for the first time since the 2000’s.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 13: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 13, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While the Lakers are oozing with talent at the top of the roster in Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler, this team has two things it lacks: veterans and championships.
With a push toward youth, LA has just one player who’s over 30 who also happens to have lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy in Kevon Looney.
“Just filling that backup center role, being a veteran for this team and bringing some championship experience to the team. Just bring that toughness that I always try to bring every time I play. That’s what my role’s going to be and I look forward to getting out there and showing people what I can do.”
Given that Looney was with Golden State for most of their title run, he witnessed firsthand what it takes to dominate the NBA. Those championship habits are something he can share with a player like Kessler, who has never even played in a playoff game and is now on a team with a goal of winning it all.
If Looney is willing to teach Kessler everything he’s learned during his decade in the league, that might make his signing to the Lakers worth it regardless of his performance on the court. However, Looney believes he still has more to contribute than just words of wisdom.
“I got a chip on my shoulder. I want to just show people what I can do. I want to be one of the best offensive rebounders, one of the best rebounders in the league. I want to be one of the best role players in the league. I want to bring a lot of spark to our bench and a lot of leadership.
My goal every year is always to play every game and be consistent. I had a couple injuries so I wasn’t able to meet that goal last year so I want to get back on the right step and prove myself all over again and show them why I’m an ironman, a tough man and one of the best rebounders in the league.”
Throughout his career, Looney has always been a great offensive rebounder. Even last season, playing in just 21 matchups, he averaged 2.3 offensive boards per game. That level of production would’ve made him the second-best offensive rebounder on the Lakers.
If Looney can remain healthy, he is on track to be a star in his role. He understands what the Lakers need from him and has the skill set to provide it.
Former NBA champ Paul Pierce and Princess Santiago, an event director in Los Angeles, still are at odds over a custody agreement for their son, King Rafael, whom they welcomed in February, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.
Former NBA champ Paul Pierce and Princess Santiago, an event director in Los Angeles, still are at odds over a custody agreement for their son, King Rafael, whom they welcomed in February, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.
Santiago — who previously filed a paternity suit in January, claiming Pierce was the father of her son — provided alleged text messages with the NBA Hall of Famer as part of their ongoing case over custody and support.
“I just wanted to let you know that your son is here. He was born today,” Princess wrote to Pierce on Feb. 6, per TMZ. “If you’d like to see him tomorrow, let me know.”
Princess Santiago, an event director in Los Angeles, and her son, King Rafael, born in February 2026. Instagram/Princess Santiago
It does not appear that Santiago received a response from Pierce.
The outlet published an image of another alleged text exchange dated April 13, which showed Paul as saying: “Just found out today officially that’s my son so anyway I can at least see him.”
Paul Pierce talks to the media before the game between the Boston Celtics and the LA Clippers on January 22, 2025 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images
Santiago responded two days later and said, “Hello and congratulations, Paul. 99.99%. Anyway, you had the opportunity to take the test I paid for either before or after the birth.
“Instead, you chose not to and ignored my entire pregnancy with him; you prioritized love interests, vacations, other people and things over your son with wanting to know the truth.
“I’d appreciate you having a bit more respect for me as his mother and your son from here forward. Ive never kept you from King before or after his birth and I still won’t. I do appreciate that you’re beginning to step forward and finally acknowledge him.”
The message continued but was cut off in the TMZ image.
Santiago, in another alleged message dated April 30, said, “If you want to be a father to him, cool. If not, I’m not going to beg you.”
Santiago is asking the court for sole legal and physical custody of their child, as well as child support payments.
The amount she is seeking for the payments has been redacted.
Paul Pierce attends a game between the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images
Santiago, who said she is unable to work because she has to care for her son, claimed Paul refused to turn over all of the relevant financial info to determine how much he had available for support payments.
She alleged Paul has rejected her efforts to co-parent.
At the time, Paul, who said he was willing to provide support to Santiago, explained that his income was steadily decreasing and that his checks from his previous gig with Fox Sports 1 were coming to an end in September 2026.
In January, TMZ reported that Santiago filed a paternity suit claiming Pierce is the father of her son, and requesting genetic testing from Pierce.
Pierce and his ex-wife Julie Landrum have three kids together: daughter Prianna and sons Prince and Adrian.
Pierce played 15 of his 19 NBA seasons with the Celtics and won a championship and Finals MVP with Boston in 2008.
The Celtics retired his No. 34 jersey in February 2018, after her retired the year before.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 14: Dillon Mitchell #1 of the St. John's Red Storm dribbles during the second half of the 2026 Big East Men's Tournament Championship game against the Connecticut Huskies at Madison Square Garden on March 14, 2026 in New York City. The Red Storm won 72-52. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The dream that star St. John’s forward Dillon Mitchell would turn down an NBA contract and return to the Red Storm for his fifth season of college basketball was only that: a dream.
Mitchell becomes the second former St. John’s star selected in this year’s NBA draft to sign a professional contract. Zuby Ejiofor inked a four-year rookie-scale contract worth $17.3 million with the Atlanta Hawks not long after he was drafted with the 23rd overall pick. Bryce Hopkins has yet to sign a contract with the Denver Nuggets after getting drafted with the 49th overall pick, but wouldn’t have been eligible to return to college anyway after his five-year eligibility clock expired.
The Celtics rookie stood out amongst his peers during the NBA Summer League, averaging 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and even tripling his senior year three-point output, firing 3-of-8 from long range across three games.
Mitchell can earn only $678,882 on a two-way contract, half the value of a guaranteed rookie minimum deal, and is limited to playing up to 50 NBA games. This means Mitchell is most likely splitting time with the Boston Celtics and developing with their G-League affiliate, the Maine Celtics.
In his only season with the Red Storm, the former McDonald’s All-American posted 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game on 55.9% shooting from the field, securing positions on the All-Big East Third Team and Big East All-Defensive Team.
As Mitchell is now off the board and St. John’s still has one remaining roster spot to fill, the Red Storm will focus on finding a starting-caliber replacement for stellar Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman at power forward.
The Red Storm are reportedly one of the many teams eyeing All-SEC forward Keyshawn Hall, one of the many seniors returning to college basketball for a fifth season. The well-traveled 6-foot-7 swingman never spent more than one season playing for a single team, hopping between UNLV, George Mason, UCF, and Auburn. Hall led the Tigers in scoring and rebounding last season, averaging 19.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest on 45.1% from the field, 37.9% from three, and 85.7% from the free-throw line.
Though this summer appeared to signal the start of a rebuild in Sacramento, both LaVine and Domantas Sabonis remain on the roster. And that doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon, at least in LaVine’s case.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported this week the Kings aren’t looking to let go of LaVine, as they did recently to DeMar DeRozan.
“One source close to the process told The Stein Line that the Kings are operating under the premise that LaVine will start the season as a King and added that “no buyout” is being discussed,” Stein wrote in his Substack on Monday.
As Sacramento seeks a transition to a new core centered around 2026 NBA Draft No. 7 overall pick Darius Acuff Jr., LaVine’s future with the Kings was a question mark entering the offseason. But after some unsuccessful trade discussions around Sabonis, both veterans seemingly will be back for the upcoming campaign.
Like Sabonis, LaVine is coming off an underwhelming season in which he played just 39 games before undergoing season-ending finger surgery in February. The 31-year-old averaged 19.2 points per game — his lowest average since 2017-18 — as well as 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 47.9-percent shooting and 39.0 percent from deep.
Now, LaVine will be expected to help mentor the Kings’ younger players as the organization looks to build for the future.
Draymond Green has been waiting years to settle this argument on his own terms.
The Warriors forward used his podcast “The Draymond Green Show” to redraft the loaded 2012 NBA Draft class — and rather than simply ranking players by name recognition, Green laid out the criteria first.
“On my redraft, I’m redrafting off body of work,” Green said. “That’s individual accolades, that’s team accolades, and the whole thing mixed together.”
By that standard, Green kept the top two spots unchanged from the actual draft. Anthony Davis stayed at No. 1 overall, with Green pointing to his inclusion on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, a championship and nine All-Star selections. Damian Lillard held at No. 2 overall behind nine All-Star nods and seven All-NBA selections of his own.
Draymond re-drafts the 2012 NBA Draft (shoutout @BillSimmons)
1. Hornets (Pelicans) – Anthony Davis 2. Bobcats (Hornets) – Damian Lillard 3. Wizards – Draymond Green 4. Cavs – Bradley Beal 5. Kings – Khris Middleton 6. Trail Blazers – Andre Drummond 7. Warriors – Harrison Barnes… pic.twitter.com/6vcBdSakpp
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) August 6, 2026
Then came the placement Green clearly had been building toward.
“At number three will be yours truly, myself, Draymond Green,” he said. “That is nine-time All-Defensive Team, Defensive Player of the Year one time, four-time NBA champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist — although that don’t matter on here — two-time All-NBA: one-time Second Team, one-time Third Team. Make no mistake about it, that is number three.”
The résumé speaks for itself, but the context around it makes the placement even more remarkable. Green actually was selected 35th overall in 2012 — in the second round — and remains the only player in NBA history to be drafted that late and still go on to win at least four championships and make four All-Star teams. Nobody else picked outside the lottery that year, or in most drafts before or since, has matched that combination.
Green also made a point of shouting out two former teammates from that same class. He praised Harrison Barnes, the No. 7 overall pick by the Warriors that year, and Festus Ezeli, whose career was shorter but whom Green still credited as effective during his time with the Warriors. Both players shared in the championship runs that now anchor Green’s own case for No. 3 overall in 2012.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 26: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts to becoming the Philadelphia 76ers franchise leader in 3-pointer field goals made during the game against the Miami Heat on February 26, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
LeBron James is a Philadelphia 76er. I know you’ll have read that a lot by now, but I don’t think another mention hurts when it still feels this surreal.
There’s so much to think about with LeBron’s arrival. Beyond the excitement that the possible greatest player of all time chose Philly for his final ring chase, signing on the absurd value of a minimum contract, there are all the basketball nuances to consider. How much will he even need to score on a team with Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and another rising star in VJ Edgecombe? How will LeBron perform defensively as the new power forward? How will Nick Nurse stagger the team’s stacked array of stars and scoring talent?
There’s lots to think about and look forward to.
For now, though, let’s focus on LeBron’s new All-NBA teammate, Tyrese Maxey. Because their relationship on the court has the potential to be the most entertaining and dynamic of any new combination LeBron will form on the team.
We all know Maxey has blossomed into a stellar, high-volume scorer. He just set a new career-high with 28.3 points per game on a 58.8 true shooting percentage last season (his most efficient season in three years) as he made the All-NBA Third Team for the first time. At every level of the floor, Maxey’s versatility and efficiency as a scorer has reached elite levels. He can burn opponents not only with his speed and acrobatic finishing, but his smooth dribbling and pull-up shooting. And along with his scoring talent, his passing has steadily improved over the course of his career as well. He’s a sharper playmaker and pick-and-roll leader who takes great care of the ball, and just averaged a career-high 6.6 assists to only 2.4 turnovers per game.
However, Maxey has always thrived most when he’s able to spend a healthy amount of time doing what he does best: being one of the top off-ball scorers in the NBA.
He’s always excelled as a frenetic attacker off the catch with how he can burst downhill against closeouts and scrambling defenses, and his shooting off movement and running off screens has only improved throughout his career. He can hit threes on the catch and around screens at speed, at tough angles, and from well beyond the arc. Apart from a down spell in 2024-25 with three-point shooting, Maxey has routinely shot lights out on catch-and-shoot threes for years:
2022-23: 45.5 percent on 3.5 attempts per game
2023-24: 44.4 percent on 3.1 attempts per game
2025-26: 41.7 percent on 3.4 attempts per game
Maxey got to do that more for part of last season next to Edgecombe and Paul George (when the latter was actually available), but 2024-25 in particular showed where Maxey’s performance can be hindered by a higher on-ball workload. For starters, he had a career-high usage of 29.8 percent (slightly above his 29.4 in 2025-26). On top of that, he was assisted on by far the lowest percentage of his two-pointers (30.7) and three-point attempts of his career (49.1 — well below the second-lowest mark of his career last season at 59.5). It’s the least efficient season he’s had apart from his rookie year, finishing with a 56.2 true shooting percentage.
Not having a sky-high creation workload is where Maxey excels most. This is where LeBron can help Maxey be his best.
James can operate anywhere. He can lead pick-and-rolls, be a passing hub from the top of the floor in slower possessions, still run out and orchestrate transition play alongside the speed of the Sixers’ guards, play from the post and elbows, be a screener and short roller. LeBron’s a brilliant passer in all these situations. He can manipulate defenses in any scenario, and Maxey will be there to take advantage. Whether he’s attacking off the catch, flying off pin-downs and flare screens, or simply darting around as a cutter or relocating for threes, LeBron will be able to find him at just the right time, with just the right pass placement.
Imagine swapping guys like Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart in some of the possessions below, who need to favor staying in the corner, for Tyrese Maxey. The potential for how Maxey can be used is night and day in comparison. Maxey is going to make a killing in simple possessions where LeBron drives and kicks after instantly collapsing a defense, passes from the post, or with Maxey using easy actions like slip screens, running floppy, or inverted pick-and-rolls to dart into space at the arc.
Last season, LeBron calmly averaged 7.2 assists per game alongside Luka Dončić and assisted on 34.1 percent of the Lakers’ made field goals when was on the floor. He’s even the NBA’s all-time leader in three-point assists, with 23 years of perfecting the craft of setting up others for easier looks at the arc. That, combined with how effectively LeBron still attacks the paint and collapses defenses inside (he scored 11.1 points per game in the paint last season, still good enough for 20th in the league) will only create more opportunities for Maxey and others to get open.
We also can’t overlook how the downhill pressure of Jaylen Brown, who ranked second in the NBA in drives per game last season at 19.1, is going to help create space for Maxey.
Just think of the headaches defenses will have against a LeBron-Embiid pick-and-roll, too. Embiid doesn’t need to be exploding down the lane to still pull in defenders with the threat of him attacking inside, getting mismatches, or chances to find close positioning inside to set up for easy scores. Maxey should find plenty of space when he’s running off pin-downs or cutting into space alongside these actions.
The potential of the Maxey-LeBron two-man game is tantalising for the Sixers as well. Dribble hand-offs can be a great tool for Maxey, partly due to the danger James will pose if he gets a switch thanks to the size, speed and downhill force he has. If defenses double LeBron, that only frees up more space for Maxey to run into space for three or cut. If Maxey pulls the attention of both defenders towards the arc, that leaves chances for LeBron to keep the ball himself and fly into the paint.
Having LeBron’s elite short-roll passing — whether that’s to eventually kick back out to a relocating Maxey or other shooters — is going to be another fun new wrinkle for the offense.
Over the last week, there’s been plenty of talk about there only being one ball and how will the Sixers’ offense work with so many stars. Of course, a team with this much new talent will need time to figure things out. Yet everyone getting a few less touches hardly seems like as much of an issue when LeBron’s passing and gravity will be creating easier looks for everyone else.
And as for Maxey, being a top off-ball/secondary scorer next to one of the very best passers and basketball minds we’ve ever seen… How could that not help him?
It’s also easy seeing LeBron embracing the role of lead playmaker on this team. We’ve already seen what he can do when he leans into an even more pass-heavy role, like when he operated as the Lakers’ clear-cut point guard in 2019-20 and led the league in assists for fun with 10.2 per game.
Sure, there’s only so much you want to take the ball out of Maxey’s hands. Clearly you don’t want to demote him to standing in the corner — but that’s not going to happen when he has such skill operating off ball.
Maxey is eager and willing to adapt his role anyway.
As Chris Haynes has mentioned, the Sixers’ guard was “relentless” in his recruitment of LeBron, doing all he could to communicate and convince LeBron that Philadelphia was the right place for him to be. That included Maxey emphasizing he’d make any sacrifices needed to his own game to make the fit right for James.
It’s inevitable Maxey’s usage will drop now the Sixers have added Brown and LeBron, but this is where firmly staggering stars, finding optimal duos, and giving each star a healthy dose of usage will be key. Having the option to have multiple stars and creators on the floor at all times can be a superpower for this team, not a flaw.
This also gives the Sixers the kind of top-end creation and depth so they have security for any times LeBron or Embiid are injured, or simply need rest to help ensure they are in the best condition possible to go all out in the playoffs. That matters even more than ever now, with the added urgency for LeBron to win another ring in his last two seasons.
Top-end depth is one of the many luxuries of this reloaded team that Mike Gansey has assembled (shoutout Gansey for a truly ridiculous debut offseason as president of basketball ops. What an all-time entrance to a front office.)
When next season rolls around, with LeBron in town, the stage will be set for Maxey to be the best, most efficient version of himself yet.
The Celtics drafted Jaylen Brown with the No. 3 overall pick in 2016. The Celtics drafted Jayson Tatum with the No. 3 overall pick a year later.
Together, they represented both the present core and the entire future of the Celtics organization, working hand-in-hand as a superstar duo and winning a championship together in 2024.
Throughout that journey, outsiders wondered how close the Jays were off the court. And while that relationship might have evolved over time, it appears to have ended on a sour note.
On Thursday, when Brown was officially introduced as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, he was asked if he’s spoken to Tatum since the trade went down more than a month ago.
“Uh, not really,” Brown answered.
That is, of course, a surprising reality, considering that the two stars worked together as the faces of the franchise for so long. But it’s also in line with what many considered or assumed to have been a professional — but not necessarily personal — relationship between Brown and Tatum.
“We won a championship together, so anybody that you win a championship [with], you would think like that’s what a brotherhood or a lifelong legacy would entail,” Brown said when asked if he and Tatum hoped their on-court partnership would continue. “Obviously, there’s ups and downs with any type of relationship, for sure. But on my end, it’s nothing but respect. Besides when he plays the Sixers, I hope he does well. But other than that, everything for me is just based on respect.”
Brown also shared some leftover distaste about how the process of being traded played out slowly at the start of the summer.
“The whole process,” Brown said when asked what bothered him about the Celtics’ handling of his availability in trades. “But to be honest, my mind is so focused on what’s in front of me. To be honest, I’m moving on. Maybe one day we’ll share the details of how everything transpired and all the moving parts that took place in this. Obviously, it’s a lot of speculation. I feel no need to chime in on it, because I’m focused on what’s in front of me.”
MALAGA, SPAIN - AUGUST 10: Austin Reaves #15 and Walker Kessler #14 of the USA Basketball Men's National Team get ready for practice on August 10, 2023 at Pabellon Training Center Higueron in Malaga, Spain. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With the LeBron James era officially over, it is time to move on to the Luka era and all his new teammates with the cap space the Lakers have used this offseason.
While the Lakers may have assembled a new squad this summer, many of the players already had connections to one another, which could speed up the process of building chemistry.
Let’s take a look at those.
Walker Kessler
Walker Kessler and Austin Reaves played together at the FIBA World Cup in 2023. Kessler has also played with Jared Vanderbilt for half a season in his rookie season.
Collin Sexton played with Kessler in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, developing a great chemistry with one another.
Quentin Grimes
Quentin Grimes has played with Luka Dončić in the season after the Finals run and hold each other in high regard as despite not playing together very long. JJ has a connection with Grimes as, prior to him becoming coach of the Lakers, the pair worked out with JJ showing the process of being a professional.
Jaden Hardy played with Luka for two-and-a-half seasons with the Mavericks and was even part of the 2023-24 Finals run.
Ziare Williams
He has chemistry with Bronny James from Sierra Canyon High School. He has also played with Jake LaRavia with the Memphis Grizzlies in his early years.
Kevon Looney
He doesn’t have any chemistry with any of the current players on the roster, but he has lots of experience with ex-Lakers or soon-to-be Lakers in the following seasons with D’Angelo Russell, Dennis Schröder, Juan Toscano- Anderson, Quinn Cook, and JaVale McGee.
Matisse Thybulle
Matisse Thybulle doesn’t have any connections to current players on the roster, but during his time in Portland, he played with players who have played in Los Angeles. Those include Josh Hart, Shaquille Harrison, Skylar Mays, Gary Payton II and Cam Reddish, both prior to and after being on the Lakers. JJ Redick also talked with him on his podcast four years ago.
With these connections among themselves and with the Lakers franchise, it should help develop chemistry. And with Luka hosting a mini camp in Slovenia, it should help build even more bonds to start the 2026-2027 NBA season.
