Alright, hold up, Seattle, because Sixers president Mike Gansey just spilled the tea, telling 97.5 The Fanatic that Joel Embiid is “excited” to play with Jaylen Brown next season. Forget everything you thought you knew about these guys, because Gansey said he called Embiid right after the trade, and the big man is absolutely “fired up.”
Embiid’s Ready to Roll
This isn’t just any offseason for Embiid, either. Gansey revealed that this is the “first offseason where he’s really healthy going into it,” which is a huge deal for a player who’s dealt with so many injuries. Combine that health with his enthusiasm for Brown, and it sounds like Embiid is in a seriously good space. Gansey even said, “It will obviously be a big change, but I think they are welcoming it.” This new dynamic could mean a lighter workload for Embiid and a smaller chance of injury, especially since his absence was a key reason the Sixers got swept in the second round by the Knicks.
Celtics Drama to Sixers Hype
So, how did we get here? Last week, the 76ers traded Paul George and draft picks to the Celtics for Brown. This move came after multiple reports, including from ESPN’s Shams Charania, pointed to issues “about the fit on a personal level, and also eventually on the court” between Brown and Jayson Tatum. Brown himself even said his favorite campaign in Boston was last season, when Tatum was mostly sidelined with an Achilles injury. Now, Brown’s landing in Philly, and the stakes couldn’t be higher, especially considering his past comments about his new teammate. Remember last May? Brown called Embiid a “flopper” in both a postgame press conference and on his livestream during their head-to-head first-round series! He did also call Embiid “one of the best bigs” in NBA history, so maybe there’s always been a mutual respect simmering under the surface.
What’s Next for the New-Look Sixers?
With this new pairing, finding a better fit between Embiid and Brown could be absolutely key to the Sixers’ hopes of actually making it past the second round next spring. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst also reported that the Sixers are considered a top-three frontrunner to land LeBron James in free agency. If LeBron sees Embiid, Brown, and Tyrese Maxey as a title-winning trio, it could swing his decision away from options like the Cavaliers and Heat. What a wild ride this offseason is shaping up to be for Philly, and we’ll be watching to see if this “fired up” energy translates to a true contender next season.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.
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