The 76ers still have one roster spot sitting open, and that keeps the front office plugged into the free-agent market even with training camp drawing near. Their cap situation won’t let them simply fill that spot right now, but patience could put them in position to land one of the better names still available.
One of those names is Bruce Brown, who has landed a training camp deal with the Knicks after his market unexpectedly went cold this offseason. That makes New York a possible short-term stop rather than a sure landing spot, especially with plenty of competition for the Knicks’ final roster place.
Brown is exactly the kind of player Philadelphia could have interest in if he becomes available later. A key part of the Nuggets’ 2023 championship run, he brings a veteran wing presence built on versatility, defense and doing the unglamorous work that helps a team hold together. He can defend most perimeter players, including bigger and taller matchups, and he gives enough offensively to matter without needing the ball in his hands.
He is not a high-usage scorer, but he is steady. Brown can knock down some threes in limited volume and serve as a dependable release valve on the tertiary. For a team looking for another reliable hand rather than another ball-dominant option, that kind of profile has real value.
The 30-year-old also brings postseason and Finals experience, something that still carries weight even if he has slipped a bit since his title season with Denver. That background, along with the little things he does well, is part of what makes him an appealing fit if the Knicks’ camp look turns into a dead end.
For now, New York’s final roster spot is still up for grabs. If Brown doesn’t crack the opening night lineup, the 76ers could be waiting to make their move once they have the ability to do it.
In Other News...
LeBrons Sixers Pay Cut Looks Different After Off-Court Deal Emerges
LeBron James decision to join the 76ers on a veteran minimum deal already stood out as one of the more unusual moves of the offseason, but the financial picture around it looks a lot different now. While the basketball contract itself is at the low end for a player of his stature, James also has a new partnership with Polymarket that reportedly pays him $15 million a year, a figure that puts his off-court earnings well ahead of what he will make in Philadelphia.
The arrangement adds another layer to what had been framed as a straightforward pay cut for a star chasing a new chapter. In this case, the basketball salary is only part of the story, and the broader deal suggests James is stepping into Philadelphia with a very different balance sheet than the one fans might assume from the contract alone. The remaining question is how that split between court and commerce will shape the way this move is viewed once the season gets going. [Read more 🡒]
76ers Suddenly Have A Bigger Center Question Than Expected
The 76ers frontcourt picture took a turn when the team announced that center Adem Bona has a left foot sprain, an injury confirmed by MRI. Bona will be re-evaluated at the start of training camp in late September, and the team is not offering a definitive return timetable before media day, which leaves his immediate availability very much in question as the season approaches.
A situation that had looked relatively straightforward now has a little more uncertainty attached to it, especially for a team that wanted to use camp to sort out its center rotation. Bonas absence could open more reps for fellow center Ariel Hukporti in training camp and the preseason, giving the 76ers a chance to learn a little more about their depth while one of their young bigs works back toward full health. [Read more 🡒]
Jaylen Brown Trade Fallout Just Changed Everything For The Sixers-Celtics Rivalry
The Celtics decision to send Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia in the Paul George deal instantly shifted the tone of one of the NBAs most recognizable rivalries. Brown had become more than just a core piece in Boston, and Georges comments at a recent press conference underscored how much the move matters beyond the transaction itself, with Browns impact on the Celtics and the city still hanging over the aftermath.
Brad Stevens tried to steer the conversation toward what comes next, stressing the need to keep the focus on Bostons future. But for the Sixers, this is the kind of move that changes the stakes immediately, not only because of the talent involved, but because of the emotions and long-term ripple effects that now follow every meeting between the two teams. [Read more 🡒]