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NBA free agency updates: Sixers add a guard; Jaylen Brown speaks out; LeBron linked to Philly; Lowry retires

The Sixers pulled off a blockbuster trade Wednesday evening, acquiring Jaylen Brown. But they weren't done.

Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) takes a shot against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) takes a shot against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)Read more
Duane Burleson / AP
What you should know

  1. After a relatively slow start to NBA free agency, the Sixers made a shocking trade Wednesday evening, acquiring Jaylen Brown for Paul George and four draft picks.

  2. Since the Brown trade, the Sixers have also emerged as potential suitors for LeBron James. Here's everything you need to know.

  3. The Sixers are suddenly contenders again after the Brown trade, writes columnist David Murphy, who believes it was a steal for the Sixers. The national media seems to agree.

  4. On Thursday afternoon, the Sixers agreed with free agent guard Anfernee Simons on a two-year, $12.3 million deal, The Inquirer confirmed.

  5. Kyle Lowry will reportedly retire, as expected, and will sign a one-day contract with Toronto so he can do so as a Raptor.

  6. Prior to the Brown trade, the Sixers added forward Dean Wade and backup center Ariel Hukporti. But free agents Kelly Oubre Jr. (Pacers) and Quentin Grimes (Lakers) both signed elsewhere.

Report: Kyle Lowry to retire as a member of the Raptors

A bit of unsurprising news: Kyle Lowry, the Philly native-turned-Sixers veteran guard, is officially retiring from the NBA, per a report from Sportsnet.

Per Sportsnet's report, Lowry will make good on his long-publicized commitment to sign a one-day contract with Toronto, where he became a franchise icon and won the 2019 NBA title, to retire as a member of the Raptors.

At the end of the 2024-25 season, Lowry said he wanted to play one more season to reach 20 for his career, though was more coy when asked about that plan in recent months.

Could Tyrese Maxey help lure LeBron to Philly?

Shortly after ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Sixers are making a pitch to LeBron James, his ESPN colleague Brian Windhorst also linked James to the Sixers and discussed how the Sixers might go about trying to recruit James: by using Tyrese Maxey’s connection through agent Rich Paul and Klutch Sports.

“A key factor in any sort of Philadelphia pursuit of LeBron is Tyrese Maxey. That is not only because of his talent, which is awesome, but he’s one of Klutch’s core clients,” Windhorst said. “He’s basically a part of LeBron’s extended family, so you would not only have Jaylen Brown as the addition, you would have Tyrese Maxey as your drawing card.” 

— Matt Mullin

Shams: Sixers are 'trying to make a pitch to LeBron James'

» READ MORE: LeBron James’ connection to Mike Gansey, how the Sixers can afford him, and what happened the last time they tried to sign him

Jalen Brown says he's 'still processing' in first statement since trade

New Sixer Jaylen Brown has spoken. On Thursday, less than 24 hours after he was traded from Boston to Philly, the veteran released a statement on social media. Here it is in it's entirety:

"First and foremost, thank you to the Most High, even in the midst of adversity. I'm here with gratitude.

"I’m still processing how this all went down. I’m excited and disappointed at the same time. I earned my respect from this city. I never asked for shortcuts or special treatment. I simply showed up every day, put my head down, and accepted every challenge.

Sixers to sign guard Anfernee Simons

Anfernee Simons has agreed to sign a two-year, $12.3 million contractwith the 76ers, a source confirmed to The Inquirer Thursday afternoon.

After trading for star Jaylen Brown Wednesday night, the Sixers turned to bolstering their bench after losing sixth man Quentin Grimes, who will reportedly sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. Simons has shot 38.1% on 6.6 career three-pointers during his eight-year career with the Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics, and Chicago Bulls.

Simons also one of Brown’s former teammates with the Celtics last season. Simons averaged 14.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 49 games before being traded to Chicago for reserve center Nikola Vucevic.

LeBron's connection to Sixers president Mike Gansey

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.

Jaylen Brown trade grades: Yikes, Celtics.

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+

Murphy: The Sixers are suddenly contenders again

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.

What moves can the Sixers still make — and is LeBron one of them?

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.

Resetting the Sixers depth chart after Jaylen Brown trade

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.

Recapping Sixers free agency so far: Who's in, who's out?

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.