Mike Gansey explains how Sixers were able to land Jaylen Brown in deal

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers have had one busy offseason under the guidance of President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey. In his first offseason running a basketball operations department after taking over for Daryl Morey in May, Gansey has been fantastic in every sense of the word in terms of adding to this roster.

The Sixers were able to land key depth pieces such as Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons, and Ariel Hukporti in free agency, but then swung a deal to acquire Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics. That then set up the additions of LeBron James and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency to build a strong roster.

With that said, the Sixers don’t land James without first grabbing Brown from the Celtics. Gansey explained the process on Thursday as Philadelphia pushed forward with its title plans.

“Yeah, I mean, obviously, we had a lot of discussions with Boston, and days just kept going by, and there was a lot of hope, obviously,” Gansey explained. “We didn’t know how it would end, but throughout the whole process, we were aggressive, trying to get Jaylen. We got lucky there. It worked out in the end.”

In Brown, the Sixers are acquiring a 5-time All-Star and a finals MVP. He averaged 28.7 points in 2025-26 as he threw the Celtics on his back in a year that was supposed to be something of a “gap year” for Boston. He brings that championship experience and scoring talent to Philadelphia.

“I’m excited to just be myself,” said Brown. “I think that’s one thing that I can promise the city and the organization and coaching staff that I’m coming every single day, be myself with my best foot forward, lead with my integrity, lead with my mentality, and lead with my capacity and my will to win. So, we’ll figure out the X’s and O’s and anything else, but winning is the agenda. So, that’s the first thing that’s on my mind.”

In the end, the Sixers were to nab Brown without having to give up too much. Philadelphia sent Paul George, two first-rounders, and two second-rounders to Boston in the deal. One has to give credit to George for being a great mentor to VJ Edgecombe and helping Philadelphia eliminate Boston in the playoffs, but the Sixers are coming out on top here. That’s what matters to Gansey.

“I mean, I don’t know exactly when we talked to Boston, but it was a process of talking to them, going back and forth,” Gansey added. “We just kept at it. Boston kept calling. We kept calling, trying to figure something out. Credit Brad. We really kept this thing quiet. They got Paul. Paul still can really play. He helped the Sixers last year beat Boston in the playoffs. They got some picks that can be very valuable. So, I thought they got a lot of value as well, but we’re just excited to have Jaylen.”

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Mike Gansey explains how Sixers were able to land Jaylen Brown in deal