Mike Gansey still has to ‘pinch myself a little bit’ after landing LeBron James and Jaylen Brown in stunning Sixers overhaul
“The vibes are high,” Gansey said following Brown's introductory news conference. “Everyone’s excited. Once we get together, I’m excited to see what the journey’s going to look like.”
Jaylen Brown could not hold back the chuckle when asked about the 76ers’ offseason.
“Um, I think they did a great job,” Brown said from his introductory news conference Thursday afternoon.
Probably the correct response from Brown with Mike Gansey — the Sixers’ new president of basketball operations who traded for the All-NBA wing in a shocking blockbuster with the Boston Celtics last month — sitting in the front row alongside other front-office personnel and owner Josh Harris. It also is the overwhelming consensus, after the Sixers acquired Brown and then signed all-timer LeBron James to add to the core of All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey, former NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid, and explosive young guard VJ Edgecombe.
» READ MORE: Jaylen Brown insists ‘winning is the agenda’ as he joins star-studded Sixers
Brown was quick to point out that the Sixers’ “excellent” on-paper roster does not guarantee they will fulfill their expectations to immediately compete for a championship. A few minutes later, Gansey echoed that sentiment while meeting with local media for the first time since his team landed James.
But Gansey did concede that he “would have never thought our offseason would turn out like the way it [did].”
“We’ve got to figure it out and gel,” Gansey added from Francis J. Myers Recreation Center. “But it definitely makes me pinch myself a little bit, like, ‘Man, we really have a lot of talent.’”
It was difficult to fathom all of this when Gansey — who previously worked his way up to general manager in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ front office — was first introduced as the Sixers’ new lead executive at the team’s practice facility in early June.
The Sixers appeared locked into the max contracts of the aging and oft-injured Embiid and Paul George, with little maneuverability to make sweeping changes to the roster. And back then, it was unclear if James was even considering leaving the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency, much less would consider signing a far-below-market veteran’s minimum contract with the Sixers.
Yet Gansey on Thursday reiterated what he told The Inquirer last month at Las Vegas Summer League, that he and Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens talked for “days” (and kept quiet) about a potential deal to swap Brown for George and four draft picks. After that move popped July 1, Gansey believed the Sixers suddenly “had a chance to be in the mix” for James, who on July 24 announced his decision to come to Philly. The Sixers also recently signed veteran 3-and-D wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — a former James teammate with the Lakers — to add more championship experience to a franchise that has not advanced past the playoffs’ second round since 2001 or won a title since 1983.
“Just having that presence,” Gansey said, “that everyday leadership that we’re going to have is going to be invaluable for everybody.”
Purchase a front page reprint of The Philadelphia Inquirer from Saturday, July 25, 2026, featuring LeBron James following the news that he was joining the 76ers. Buy it here.
Gansey quipped the Sixers now “kind of have a Big 5” in their starting lineup, plus helpful bench contributors in defensive wing Dean Wade and sharpshooter Anfernee Simons. He compared coach Nick Nurse to “a kid in a candy store” while already thinking about the various lineup configurations. Though the Sixers technically still have one full-time roster spot open, unless they waive reserve forward Jabari Walker (whose contract is partially guaranteed at $250,000 until Jan. 10), they must wait until December to sign another player because they are hard-capped at the first apron. They do have one two-way contract slot remaining, after signing Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert to such deals.
Throughout this week, Gansey said there were eight players working out at the Sixers’ facility — including a visibly slimmed-down Embiid, who Gansey described as “doing all the right things” and “super motivated.” James and Maxey, who are longtime offseason workout buddies, have been photographed training together in Los Angeles. Brown has been making the rounds in Philly, throwing out the first pitch at Thursday’s Phillies-Nationals game and visiting Eagles training camp Friday. Gansey said he is unsure when James will stop by Camden, though teams typically reconvene after Labor Day for informal pickup games before training camp begins in late September.
» READ MORE: For the Sixers, ego concerns are secondary to Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid’s fit on the court
That is when the Sixers will begin blending a talented and revamped roster on the floor. But in the aftermath of the Sixers’ stunning offseason, Gansey is metaphorically pinching himself.
“The vibes are high,” Gansey said. “Everyone’s excited. Once we get together, I’m excited to see what the journey’s going to look like.”
