Jaylen Brown isn’t easing into his new situation with the Sixers - he’s leaning right into it.
During a Twitch stream, Brown talked about the chance to play alongside LeBron James in Philadelphia and made it clear he’s excited about the learning curve that comes with it. The spotlight will be intense, but Brown said his attention is on what the group can build.
“What an opportunity that is,” Brown said. “I love learning, so to have the opportunity to learn from one of, if not the greatest player of all time.”
Brown also said he expects plenty of outside noise around the Sixers, but he’s staying locked in on winning. He added that he’s dropped about seven pounds this offseason as he gets ready for a quicker style next to Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and James.
“I feel great,” Brown said. “I’m jumping higher, running faster.”
Philadelphia spent the summer remaking its roster by trading for Brown and signing James, leaving the Sixers with one of the most talented starting groups in the league on paper.
Out in Los Angeles, the Clippers are bringing in another backcourt option. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the team has agreed to a two-way contract with guard Jalen Pickett.
Pickett, 26, spent the last three seasons with the Nuggets after Denver took him with the No. 32 pick in the 2023 draft. Last season, he played in 50 games and averaged 5.2 points, 2.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds while shooting nearly 39 percent from beyond the arc.
Denver declined its team option before free agency, which sent Pickett to the open market.
He now joins Sean Pedulla and rookie Nick Martinelli as the Clippers’ current two-way players, and the team is also expected to complete a two-way deal with center Jamarion Sharp.
Meanwhile, Cole Anthony is heading overseas. Melbourne United announced that the free agent guard has signed a one-year deal to play in Australia’s National Basketball League for the 2026-27 season.
Anthony, the No. 15 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, spent five seasons with the Magic before later stops with the Grizzlies, Bucks and Suns. He averaged a career-low 6.7 points with Milwaukee last season and was waived by Phoenix after being traded there in February.
Melbourne is betting on a bounce-back. Coach Jacob Chance said, “In my conversations with him, it’s been very clear that his primary focus is winning,” and added, “I’m confident that his best basketball is still ahead of him.”
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