76ers president reveals Joel Embiid’s reaction to Jaylen Brown trade
The recent trade sending Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers has significantly altered the landscape of the Eastern Conference. The 76ers acquired the former Boston Celtics star in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks. This move adds another elite talent to play alongside Joel Embiid.
Mike Gansey, the 76ers president of basketball operations, shared Embiid’s response to the trade. Gansey contacted Embiid shortly after the news broke to gauge his reaction. Embiid expressed excitement, though he was also surprised by the development.
Brown joins the 76ers after what was described as the most productive year of his career. During the 2025-26 campaign, he averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game over 71 appearances. His shooting percentages were 47.7% from the field, 34.7% from 3-point range, and 79.5% from the free-throw line. Brown also helped lead Boston to the No. 2 seed in the East despite Jayson Tatum being sidelined for much of the season, and he finished sixth in MVP voting.
Many had anticipated Brown would remain with the Celtics for an extended period. However, the trade materialized, and Brown has indicated his readiness to embrace a “villain” role with Philadelphia.
Celtics’ perspective on the trade
The return the Celtics received in the trade has been a subject of discussion. According to one report, Brown’s preferences regarding his next team may have influenced the bidding process. It was suggested that some teams interested in Brown received “intel” that he was not particularly keen on joining them, leading them to withdraw from the bidding.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens stated that the decision to trade Brown was partly driven by concerns about having two players consume 70 percent of the salary cap, which he believes would make sustained success more challenging in the long term. The goal was to acquire a player who could help the Celtics remain competitive while also adding assets.
Boston acquired Paul George, who has a $54.1 million salary for the upcoming season and a $56.6 million player option for the subsequent year. This places the Celtics in a similar financial position to what they would have faced had they retained Brown, at least in the immediate future. George’s contract has two years remaining, while Brown’s had three, offering the Celtics some flexibility with draft capital.
Beyond financial considerations, reports indicate that Boston felt an urgency to make the trade. Concerns were raised about potential internal discord if Brown returned to a team that would largely remain Tatum’s. There was also a perceived fear that potential trade opportunities were diminishing, with teams like Brooklyn and Minnesota moving on to other business. Houston and Cleveland, despite possessing significant assets, reportedly showed no interest in trading for Brown.
Impact and future outlook
The trade, which sent Brown to Philadelphia for the 36-year-old George and draft assets, surprised many in the NBA. Tatum expressed shock upon learning of the deal. Former 76ers star Charles Barkley commented that Philadelphia benefited significantly from the trade. Several league executives reportedly expressed puzzlement over Stevens’s swift decision given the assets received.
One unnamed NBA general manager reportedly stated that Brown was traded for less than Walker Kessler, finding the situation baffling. Celtics owner Bill Chisholm clarified that he did not mandate the trade, but the front office convinced him it was a necessary move for the franchise.
With Brown now part of the 76ers, the team features a strong core including Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe. Brown’s scoring, defense, and championship experience are expected to enhance the team’s foundation. Gansey noted that Brown will bring “championship habits, attitude, and toughness” to the team. There is also speculation about LeBron James potentially joining Philadelphia, which could further strengthen the roster.
Even without James, the 76ers are considered capable of finishing among the East’s top seeds and making a legitimate championship run with Embiid, Maxey, Brown, and Edgecombe leading the way.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
