The Philadelphia 76ers‘ pursuit of LeBron James reportedly started with just one phone call.
Speaking on NBC Sports Philadelphia during the Phillies game against the Washington Nationals, 76ers president Mike Gansey said that acquiring Jaylen Brown completely changed the franchise’s chances of landing the four-time champion.
“I called Rich right away and said, ‘Hey, like, we got Jaylen. Is there a chance LeBron will want to come to us?’ And, you know, obviously they said, ‘Yeah, this changes some things.’ So they talked about it, and then obviously the whole process of, whatever, three weeks or however long it went, they were doing all their due diligence with LeBron, talking to all our players and other teams, and their representation and stuff.”
“So, yeah, it was a long process. But yeah, we don’t get LeBron without Jaylen, that’s for sure.”
Gansey’s comments provide the clearest timeline on how one blockbuster move triggered another.
Before the Sixers acquired Brown, they were not viewed as serious contenders for LeBron. While the franchise would have naturally been interested in adding the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, there was little hope that LeBron would choose Philadelphia as his next destination.
That moment changed on July 6th, when Jaylen Brown arrived. Adding another All-NBA-caliber wing next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey instantly transformed the Sixers into one of the league’s most talented rosters. And it appeared to have caught the attention of Rich Paul and LeBron’s camp.
According to Gansey, the first call after completing the Jaylen Brown trade was to Rich Paul, asking whether this blockbuster deal had altered LeBron’s thinking. And the answer was yes.
From there, the process stretched to nearly three weeks as both sides carefully evaluated the possibility. LeBron’s representation spoke with the Sixers front office, players, and others around the league before reaching an agreement.
Ultimately, LeBron signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the 76ers, one of the most team-friendly deals of his legendary career.
The contract spoke volumes about his priorities. LeBron had never been a minimum-salary player at any stage of his career because of declining production. Even entering his 24th NBA season, he remains one of the league’s best players, as he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists last season.
Instead, his willingness to accept a veteran-level contract suggests money was no longer the deciding factor. It was winning.
The Sixers had arguably the best opportunity to compete for another title. With Embiid, Brown, and Maxey already in place, the Sixers suddenly had three All-NBA-caliber players around LeBron.
And the signing came 24 days after the offseason began, capping one of the most dramatic free agency stories in recent NBA history.
The Sixers’ projected starting lineup now features LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and V.J. Edgecombe, giving the Sixers the most stacked starting five in the league. But assembling talent is just the first step. The Sixers still have major questions about their bench, health, and how their high-usage stars will coexist on the same team.
Rich Paul has already indicated that LeBron James is expected to take on a Draymond Green-type role, where he would serve as the team’s primary playmaker and help maximize the talents of Embiid, Brown, and Maxey.
Still, Gansey’s revelation confirms what many had thought all along. The Jaylen Brown trade wasn’t just another blockbuster move. It was the domino that convinced LeBron James that the 76ers were a legitimate championship destination.
Without Brown, the Sixers may never have entered the conversation. And with him, the Sixers landed arguably the greatest player in NBA history.
