NBA free agency updates: What's next for the Sixers after the Jaylen Brown trade; LeBron looms large

The prospect of James coming Philadelphia was already picking up steam on social media following the Brown trade. Then, Steven Gansey, the younger brother of new Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, looked to add fuel to the fire.

On Wednesday, Steven posted a throwback photo of his brother (far right) alongside James (second from the right) in high school on X. He captioned the post with the eyeballs emoji, insinuating a connection.

As the photo shows, Gansey and James have crossed paths. The two Ohio natives competed in high school. Gansey, who went to have a memorable collegiate career at West Virginia, finished as the runner-up to James in the 2001 Mr. Ohio Basketball race.

Wednesday’s trade between the Sixers and Celtics has left many puzzled, especially in Boston. In exchange for Paul George and four draft picks, the Sixers are getting Jaylen Brown back from Boston. 

So who won the trade? Here is what the national media is saying …

ESPN — Sixers: A- | Celtics: D+

The 76ers did the unthinkable on Wednesday. They did it to such an extent that it still isn’t thinkable. In fact, it’s barely believable.

Not only did the Sixers come from out of nowhere to stun the NBA by acquiring Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown, and not only did they do it for a criminally cheap price, they also somehow managed to ship out the remaining two years and $110 million remaining on Paul George’s contract.

And, just like that, a new window of title contention has arrived.

Swapping out Paul George’s contract for Jaylen Brown’s still creates a top-heavy cap sheet. The Sixers are now about $2 million under the luxury tax and $10 million below the first apron, where they are hard-capped. And assuming Hukporti’s salary comes out of the non-taxpayer midlevel exception, the Sixers still have $2.6 million from that to spend along with the $5.5 million biannual exception.

The Sixers could add two more players to reach 15 on the full-time roster, though they have often only carried 14 to stay under the luxury tax.

It is reasonable to expect the Sixers will focus on adding one more guard — unless LeBron James wants to come to Philly, of course.

The Sixers have added a few pieces — and lost a few more — so far in free agency, with players like Jaylen Brown and Dean Wade arriving and Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Quentin Grimes all moving on.

Here's a look at how their depth chart pans out after those deals:

Point guard: Tyrese Maxey, Labaron Philon Jr.

Free agency began slowly for the 76ers, with zero news until Dean Wade agreed to a four-year contract late Tuesday night.

Legitimate movement occurred Wednesday, when the Sixers added Ariel Hukporti but rotation players Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes reportedly decided to join other teams.

Then the Sixers smacked the NBA with a blockbuster stunner, acquiring Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Paul George and four draft picks.