Sixers Offseason Shakeup
Mike Gansey reflects on Sixers' impactful offseason moves, securing Jaylen Brown and awaiting LeBron's decision.
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Mike Gansey, the Philadelphia 76ers' new president of basketball operations, said he "never would have envisioned" trading for All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown in his very first offseason on the job. The blockbuster deal has sent shockwaves through the league and reignited a fan base that had grown restless in recent years, according to The Sacramento Bee.
Now Gansey has another massive decision on his radar: LeBron James. The 76ers executive says he is happy to wait as long as it takes for the NBA's all-time leading scorer to make his free agency call, according to The Bellingham Herald.
Jaylen Brown Trade Catches Even Gansey Off Guard
Gansey came to Philadelphia after years with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Landing Brown this quickly was not part of any plan he had sketched out. "Never would have envisioned" it happening in month one, he admitted, according to The Kansas City Star. The trade was the kind of bold move that front offices spend years trying to pull off.
Brown is an All-NBA wing and a proven winner, having won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics. His arrival in Philadelphia immediately raised the team's ceiling. Gansey believes Brown will set the tone for the Sixers' championship push, according to The Island Packet.
LeBron James Watch: Gansey Is In No Rush
LeBron James remains one of the biggest names still undecided in free agency. Gansey made clear he would love to bring the 40-year-old legend to Philadelphia. "He will make the right decision," Gansey said, according to The Tri-City Herald. The Sixers are not pressuring James to decide quickly.
Adding James alongside Brown and a healthy Joel Embiid would give Philadelphia one of the most star-powered rosters in the NBA. For now, Gansey says he is patient and comfortable letting the situation play out on James' timeline, according to The Bellingham Herald.
Young Sixers on Gansey's Watch List This Summer
While the veteran star power grabs headlines, Gansey is also zeroed in on the team's young talent. He is closely tracking first-round pick Labaron Philon Jr. and second-year guard VJ Edgecombe, according to The Island Packet. Both players are seen as key pieces of the Sixers' long-term plan.
Edgecombe showed flashes of elite athleticism in his rookie season. Philon Jr. is brand new to the professional stage. Gansey came from Cleveland with a strong track record of developing young guards, which gives Sixers fans reason for optimism, according to The Macon Telegraph.
A Fan Base Energized After Years of Frustration
Philadelphia fans have been through a turbulent stretch. Injuries to Embiid and years of playoff disappointment left many feeling burned. The Brown trade changed the mood almost instantly, according to The Kentucky Lexington Herald-Leader. Gansey said the reaction from fans has been a thrill to witness.
Gansey's first month on the job has been anything but quiet. A landmark trade, a LeBron chase, and two young guards to develop — all before training camp. The Sixers look more dangerous heading into next season than they have in years, according to The Sacramento Bee.
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