Mike Gansey stops by Phillies broadcast: ‘We don’t get LeBron without Jaylen [Brown]’ and more

It’s been a busy summer for Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey. From arriving in Philly just a few months ago, to trading for Jaylen Brown and then LeBron James, he’s had a whirlwind start in the City of Brotherly Love.

It continued this week with Gansey making the rounds with the other local sports teams, stopping by an Eagles practice earlier in the week and throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Phillies game on Tuesday evening, after which he stopped by the broadcast

booth with Tom McCarthy and John Kruk.

The topics were what you would imagine, as the broadcasters picked Gansey’s brain on the major headlines of the offseason. (And yes, they were sure to poke fun at him for jinxing Jesus Luzardo’s no-hitter the last time he appeared on the broadcast.)

Gansey fielded questions on luring LeBron to Philly, the impact of the Brown trade and more, providing some insight into what really went down this summer behind the scenes.

Check out some of his answers below!

Gansey on the entire organization being involved in trying to convince LeBron to choose Philly

“It was a month-long process, almost. I think obviously, being able to get him… the Jaylen Brown trade, if that doesn’t happen I don’t think we get that. We’re excited. I always thought we’d be in the mix there just because we had a team that could really contend with him, and obviously his relationship with some of our players. Our players did a great job. Tyrese, Joel, Nick [Nurse], our ownership—everyone tried to talk to him and sell him on Philly and obviously he picked us and we’re super excited.”

Gansey on the Jaylen Brown trade being what opened the door to seriously going after LeBron

“[After the Jaylen Brown trade] I called Rich [Paul] right away and said ‘hey, we got Jaylen, is there a chance Lebron wants to come to us?’ and obviously they said, you know, ‘yeah, this changes some things’. So they talked about it and then the whole process of three weeks or whatever it was, they were doing all their due diligence with LeBron, talking to all our players, other teams, their representation. It was a long process but yeah, we don’t get LeBron without Jaylen, that’s for sure.”

Gansey on what Jaylen Brown brings to the table

“[Brown] is just a winner. He’s got the most wins int he NBA since he came in the league, playoffs and regular season. He’s a two-way player. He brings toughness, he can go get a bucket, he’s been in big games, he’s been the Finals MVP. He can play a lot of different roles.

“And look what he did this year in Boston. Jayson Tatum was out most of the year and they had a surprise year, and he carried them. So he can carry a team or he can fit in. That’s where it’s interesting with our team with the group we’ve built now that any given night anyone can step up and be the guy.”

“He’s intense, he’s focused, he just wants to win. Talking to him a bunch since we acquired him, that’s his main focus, ‘I want to win.’ He wants to get another championship and that’s all really his focus, which is exciting.”

Gansey on LeBron James

“Having the chance to work with him in Cleveland those four years, went to four Finals, won a championship for the city of Cleveland—just being around him everyday, he’s incredible. All his stuff on the court is impressive but it’s more impressive off the court, the stuff he’s done in the community and just the family man he is.

“I don’t think Philly knows what they’re getting, because he’s special. Our games are going to be—every game he plays in it’s just like a different atmosphere that you can’t replicate.”

Gansey on what ultimately pulled LeBron to Philadelphia

“Maybe there’s some comfort level because we’ve worked together … but I think the reason why he came is Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe. Our ownership’s incredible. Bob Myers. Nick Nurse. So I think just top to bottom the alignment in our organization probably sold it.

“And then obviously the fanbase. The fans are hungry here. They’re passionate. Just being here two months—they love their sports.”