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PHILADELPHIA -- The offseason of 2026 can be characterized as the summer of the Philadelphia 76ers. Led by new President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey as well as HBSE President of Sports Bob Myers and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jameer Nelson, the Sixers have been transformed.
After being swept in Round 2 of the playoffs back in May, Gansey and Co. have completely overhauled this roster with some huge moves. The Sixers first selected Labaron Philon Jr. with the No. 22 pick, then signed Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons, and Ariel Hukporti at the outset of free agency. That then set up the big trade to acquire Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics.
That right there would have been a terrific offseason. Gansey, though, then waited and waited and eventually landed LeBron James and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as Philadelphia set everything up perfectly.
"I mean, it was really like, obviously, the draft we had pick 22," Gansey began to recount. "Let's get that right. Let's get a player that can help us. Then, from there, it was like we just gotta have depth. We need a bench. That's where Dean came in, and then after Dean, as free agency started, the Jaylen conversations picked up a little bit. I would have never thought Jaylen Brown would be a 76er, but we just kept at it, and talking to Boston, and fortunately, we got him."
Obviously, the Brown addition then set up Philadelphia in a great position to land James. The team put on a full court press of recruitment to bring him in and the Sixers are now set up for success in the coming season. The projected starting lineup of Brown, James, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe is one of the best on paper in the history of the league. It doesn't mean Philadelphia will win right away. It will take a lot of work, but the talent is there.
"I mean, it's going to take a lot of time," Gansey acknowledged. "We haven't had a practice yet. I mean, our record's 0-0. So, it's going to take time to jell, but I think we have good people. We have the right makeup of our players. Sacrifice is going to be the big word we're going to be throwing around. I'm just excited just to get everyone together. We've had Tyrese and LeBron working out together. We've had eight guys in the gym this week. So, the vibes are high. Everyone's excited. So, once we get together, I'm excited to see what the journey's going to look like."
With that being said, this is arguably the most talented roster in the history of the franchise. On paper, there aren't a lot of holes on either end of the floor. The starting lineup and the bench unit should be one of the terrific in every sense of the word due to the talent and championship know-how.
"I would add KCP, too," Gansey added. "So, we got three guys that have won championships, and it's crazy. We have two Finals MVPs and then two regular season MVPs, too. So, having that's invaluable. Just watching LeBron every day—I haven't seen Jaylen like that, but just kind of getting to know him a little bit, like he's an everyday guy. Obviously, there's going to be a lot of highs and lows throughout the season, but having those two and KCP, those three in our locker room, and even Nick (Nurse). I mean, people forget Nick won a championship with Toronto. So, he's been through all the wars. He's been through the big game. So, just having that presence and that everyday leadership that we're gonna have is gonna be valuable."
Media day is set for Sept. 28. It will be then when everybody will be looking to figure this thing out.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Mike Gansey opens up on Sixers roster, moves made in busy offseason
Continue reading...
After being swept in Round 2 of the playoffs back in May, Gansey and Co. have completely overhauled this roster with some huge moves. The Sixers first selected Labaron Philon Jr. with the No. 22 pick, then signed Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons, and Ariel Hukporti at the outset of free agency. That then set up the big trade to acquire Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics.
That right there would have been a terrific offseason. Gansey, though, then waited and waited and eventually landed LeBron James and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as Philadelphia set everything up perfectly.
"I mean, it was really like, obviously, the draft we had pick 22," Gansey began to recount. "Let's get that right. Let's get a player that can help us. Then, from there, it was like we just gotta have depth. We need a bench. That's where Dean came in, and then after Dean, as free agency started, the Jaylen conversations picked up a little bit. I would have never thought Jaylen Brown would be a 76er, but we just kept at it, and talking to Boston, and fortunately, we got him."
Obviously, the Brown addition then set up Philadelphia in a great position to land James. The team put on a full court press of recruitment to bring him in and the Sixers are now set up for success in the coming season. The projected starting lineup of Brown, James, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe is one of the best on paper in the history of the league. It doesn't mean Philadelphia will win right away. It will take a lot of work, but the talent is there.
"I mean, it's going to take a lot of time," Gansey acknowledged. "We haven't had a practice yet. I mean, our record's 0-0. So, it's going to take time to jell, but I think we have good people. We have the right makeup of our players. Sacrifice is going to be the big word we're going to be throwing around. I'm just excited just to get everyone together. We've had Tyrese and LeBron working out together. We've had eight guys in the gym this week. So, the vibes are high. Everyone's excited. So, once we get together, I'm excited to see what the journey's going to look like."
With that being said, this is arguably the most talented roster in the history of the franchise. On paper, there aren't a lot of holes on either end of the floor. The starting lineup and the bench unit should be one of the terrific in every sense of the word due to the talent and championship know-how.
"I would add KCP, too," Gansey added. "So, we got three guys that have won championships, and it's crazy. We have two Finals MVPs and then two regular season MVPs, too. So, having that's invaluable. Just watching LeBron every day—I haven't seen Jaylen like that, but just kind of getting to know him a little bit, like he's an everyday guy. Obviously, there's going to be a lot of highs and lows throughout the season, but having those two and KCP, those three in our locker room, and even Nick (Nurse). I mean, people forget Nick won a championship with Toronto. So, he's been through all the wars. He's been through the big game. So, just having that presence and that everyday leadership that we're gonna have is gonna be valuable."
Media day is set for Sept. 28. It will be then when everybody will be looking to figure this thing out.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Mike Gansey opens up on Sixers roster, moves made in busy offseason
Continue reading...
