The Philadelphia 76ers officially unveiled their revamped roster Monday, completing the blockbuster trade for Jaylen Brown while also confirming the signing of free-agent guard Anfernee Simons.
Philadelphia announced the acquisition of Brown from the Boston Celtics, sending veteran forward Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks to its longtime division rival. The 76ers also confirmed the signing of Simons, adding another perimeter option to a group now built around Brown, Joel
Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
Brown, 29, arrives after spending his first 10 NBA seasons in Boston, where he became a five-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA second-team selection and the 2024 NBA Finals MVP. The third overall pick in the 2016 draft averaged a career-best 28.7 points last season, the fourth-highest mark in the league, while adding career highs in rebounds (6.9) and assists (5.1).
Over his career, Brown has averaged 20.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 steals, shooting 47.8% from the field and 35.8% from 3-point range in 674 regular-season games (567 starts). He has three years remaining on the five-year, $285 million supermax deal he signed with Boston in 2023.
"I'm excited to begin this next chapter in Philly," Brown said. "From every conversation I've had, it's clear this is a group that's hungry, competitive and committed to winning; and that's the kind of environment I've always embraced."
The 76ers are betting on Brown's two-way game and postseason resume after a decade in Boston that included 142 playoff appearances (122 starts) and a championship run. Since entering the league in 2016, Brown's 523 combined regular-season and playoff win total is the highest in the NBA.
Philadelphia managing partner Josh Harris called Brown "one of the best two-way players in the league," while thanking George for his time with the organization.
George, 36, spent two seasons with the 76ers, averaging 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.8 steals in 78 total games. He now heads to Boston along with a package that includes Philadelphia's unprotected 2031 first-round pick, a top-16 protected 2028 first-round pick tied to the Los Angeles Clippers, and second-round selections in 2028 and 2030.
George has averaged 20.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.7 steals, shotting 44.0% from the field and 38.4% from 3-point range in 945 career games with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Clippers and 76ers.
Simons, 27, gives Philadelphia another shooter after averaging 14.3 points in 55 games with Boston and Chicago last season. The 27-year-old shot 38.5% from 3-point range and has hit at least 36% from deep in each of the past six seasons. While terms of the contract were not disclosed, ESPN reported it's a two-year deal worth $12.3 million with a player option for the second season.
--Field Level Media
