And-Ones: Tanking, Maxey, Edwards, LaVine, Billups, More
Although John Hollinger of The Athletic believes the NBA’s new anti-tanking lottery rules are a good thing, he points out that there are still a handful of situations in which certain teams won’t be disincentivized from trying to finish in the NBA’s bottom three. Most of those scenarios stem from the rule preventing teams from getting the No. 1 overall pick in back-to-back years or a top-five pick in three consecutive years.
This year’s Nets are one example, since Houston has the ability to swap its own first-round pick for Brooklyn’s. If the Nets find themselves out of the playoff and play-in races, it may be in their best interest to finish in the NBA’s bottom three to reduce their odds of landing the No. 1 overall pick from 8.1% to 5.4%. If Brooklyn wins the first overall pick in 2027, the team would be ineligible to get the No. 1 pick again in 2028, despite the fact that the Rockets would control the ’27 selection.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Within a recap of the highlights of the NBA’s first week, ESPN’s Bobby Marks identifies Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, and Kings guard Zach LaVine as three players to keep an eye on from a contract perspective. With all three players off to hot starts this fall, Marks notes that Maxey and Edwards can become super-max eligible next offseason by making this year’s All-NBA team and wonders if LaVine could have some in-season trade value if he stays hot, despite an exorbitant $49MM cap hit.
- Although Eric Earnest – a co-conspirator for the illegal gambling case involving Terry Rozier – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud last Thursday, his attorney insisted after the hearing that Earnest didn’t receive any inside information from former Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups. Federal investigators have alleged that an unnamed co-conspirator matching Billups’ description told Earnest about Portland’s plan to tank and rest certain players, but attorney Peter Brill says he and Earnest have a “fundamental disagreement” with the government over that allegation. “Our position is that Chauncey Billups did not at any time provide inside information to Mr. Earnest that he used to place any bets,” Brill said, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.
- The NBA shared an interesting breakdown of this season’s opening rosters “by the numbers,” noting that – among the 519 players who opened the season on standard or two-way contracts – 276 have G League experience, 106 went undrafted, and 120 have been born since LeBron James debuted on October 29, 2003.
- Two U.S. senators have called on the NBA to reevaluate its partnership with Rwanda and dictator Paul Kagame, as Mark Fainaru-Wada of ESPN details. The same two senators conveyed similar concerns to the league two years ago, at which time deputy commissioner Mark Tatum was following the U.S. government’s lead “as to where it’s appropriate to engage in business around the world.” However, senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) stated in their latest letter that the policies of the U.S., UK, and other European countries in regard to Rwanda have “shifted markedly” since then and suggest that the NBA should follow suit.
Ty Jerome, Tyrese Maxey Named NBA’s Players Of The Week
Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome and Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey have been named the NBA’s Players of the Week for their respective conferences, the league announced today (via Twitter).
Jerome won the award for the Western Conference, with Maxey claiming the honor in the East.
Jerome led the Grizzlies to a perfect 3-0 record last week, starting with a career-high 45 points in Wednesday’s home opener vs. Utah and followed by a pair of road victories against Golden State and Sacramento. Through three games, the 29-year-old is the NBA’s leading scorer, with an eye-popping average of 34.7 points in just 31.7 minutes per contest.
Jerome, whose shooting line is a stellar .563/.429/.885, has also averaged 5.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds in his three appearances.
As for Maxey, the two-time All-Star filled the box score by averaging 28.8 PPG, 4.8 APG, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG and 1.0 BPG on .466/.300/.857 shooting in 37.8 MPG. Maxey helped the 76ers go 3-1 in the first week of the season.
According to the NBA (Twitter link), the other nominees in the West were Lakers guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson.
Cade Cunningham of the Pistons, Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson of the Hawks, and Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam of the Pacers were nominated in the East.
Sixers Notes: James, Embiid, Maxey, Helicopter
The Sixers’ depth at center behind oft-injured star Joel Embiid was a source of concern ahead of the 2026/27 season, especially after Ariel Hukporti suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in his preseason debut. So the fact that LeBron James – long reluctant to play much center due to the wear and tear on his body – spent some time at the five in Philadelphia’s opening-night win over the defending champion Knicks should be one of the biggest takeaways from the first day of the regular season, writes ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
As Dave McMenamin of ESPN details, Embiid – who picked up his third foul late in the first half – said after the game that it was his idea for James to replace him in the middle to close out the second quarter.
“I suggested that to the guys, the coaching staff, because I just felt like the way they were calling fouls, I just felt like — and I was just being honest — I wasn’t going to be as aggressive as I should be on defense, having three fouls, wanting to stay on the floor,” Embiid said. “I just told them I thought we should do that.”
While James may not become Philadelphia’s primary backup center, head coach Nick Nurse and the 76ers showed on Tuesday that they were willing to experiment with his role whether or not Embiid is on the floor. When the two players shared the court, James frequently ended up defending Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, with Embiid handling the Josh Hart assignment.
“[We discussed putting] a four-man on KAT, because there’s so many pick-and-rolls with him and [Jalen] Brunson that gives you some versatility to play some other coverages,” Nurse said. “I think it was good. … Over the long haul, it was very good for us, I think.”
Here’s more on the Sixers, who won their first matchup of the season with the division-rival Knicks:
- Embiid hasn’t been the best version of himself in recent years due to injuries, but he’s healthy to open the 2026/27 season and had three blocked shots in Tuesday’s regular season opener. The three-time All-Defensive second-teamer and 2018 Defensive Player oft he Year runner-up suggested he wants to get back to being an elite defensive anchor, per Kris Rhim of ESPN. “I think this year’s going to be back to All-Defensive team like in the past,” Embiid said. “So, felt good, moving great. Felt like I was all over the place, so I need to do that every game. … If I can play that way every single night, which I will, it changes everything.”
- Embiid’s healthy return and James’ and Jaylen Brown’s Sixers regular season debuts stole the headlines, but it was All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey who set the tone for the team, writes Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer (subscription required). Lauded by Embiid for keeping Philadelphia “afloat” with a 16-point first half as other players struggled to make shots, Maxey finished with a team-high 28 points and matched Embiid’s three blocks.
- Asked during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show (YouTube link) about James’ use of a corporate helicopter provided by Fanatics to commute from New York to Philadelphia, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said there are no issues as long as the team wasn’t involved in setting that up for him. “He has a deal with Fanatics,” Silver said. “It’s perfectly appropriate if part of his deal is they’re going to supply a helicopter to him, as long as it’s just a deal between Fanatics and LeBron and no team is involved. There’s no rules issue there whatsoever.” There have been some questions about the arrangement in part because Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin was a minority owner in the Sixers, but Rubin sold his stake in the team four years ago.
Sixers Notes: Embiid, Maxey, Edgecombe, Wade, Barlow
Joel Embiid rejects the notion that anyone on the Sixers’ star-studded roster needs to sacrifice for the team to reach its goals, Kris Rhim writes for ESPN.com.
“I’m against the concept of sacrificing,” Embiid said after Friday’s preseason finale. “I think the way I explained it was you do what you do best, and we’re going to support you. … I don’t think anybody has to take a back seat.”
After struggling in his preseason debut against Brooklyn, the 7’0″ center from Cameroon played much better against Boston on Friday, recording 27 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes. However, Philadelphia ended up losing the exhibition contest as the Celtics rested several of their rotation regulars.
“We’re not where we want to be yet,” Jaylen Brown said. “So that’s just a part of it. It’s a part of coming together, a new group with a bunch of guys, different style, but we just got to keep getting better every day.”
Here’s more on the 76ers, who face the Knicks on Tuesday in their regular season opener:
- Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports shares his takeaways from Friday’s preseason finale, noting that the two-man game between Embiid and Tyrese Maxey looked sharp in their final tune-up before the regular season. LeBron James largely echoed Brown’s thoughts about the team continuing to improve over time. “We’re a couple weeks in. We’re still working on our rhythm, working out our kinks, and it’s not gonna be perfect. But we have some things we can build on. We did a lot of good things tonight,” James said after the game. “Every day we’re getting better and better, so we just gotta keep working at it.”
- Second-year guard VJ Edgecombe was held out of Friday’s contest after he woke up sore, but he was a full participant in Sunday’s practice and is on track to play Tuesday, head coach Nick Nurse told reporters, including Rhim (Twitter link).
- Forward Dean Wade rolled his left ankle in the first half of Friday’s game and did not return, per Bodner. “Not a major concern, but just cautious because it’s a preseason game,” Nurse said after the game. Both Wade and Dominick Barlow (back soreness) sat out Sunday’s practice, tweets Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports.
Sixers Notes: LeBron, Bona, Hukporti, Brown, Edgecombe, More
The Sixers have discussed having LeBron James operate as a point forward this season, team sources tell Dave McMenamin of ESPN, but that doesn’t necessarily mean head coach Nick Nurse is locked into having the four-time MVP always be the one bringing the ball up the floor.
“We got several guys that what I would call ‘grab-and-go,'” Nurse said on Thursday. “If they get rebounds and their first advantage is to start pushing it up the floor and it stays that way, then they’re going to do it.”
Still, as the Sixers’ new-look starting five figures out how the ball will be shared among several players who are used to having it in their hands, Nurse views James as a valuable weapon to have on the floor, given how adept he is at creating opportunities for his teammates.
“I just think LeBron, I consider him a great offense creator,” Nurse said. “I don’t necessarily mean scorer, I just think creator and a table setter and all that kind of stuff. … If it isn’t bringing it up and starting [the possession], it’s probably going to be first pass anyway to [him on] the wing and then we get into our actions, and he’s kind of seeing what’s there, and he’s creating offense for others.”
Here’s more on the 76ers:
- After going up against one another as members of the Turkish and German national teams and then as members of the Sixers and Knicks, Adem Bona and Ariel Hukporti now find themselves vying for backup center minutes in Philadelphia, writes Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Given that they’re teammates now, they’re treating the stakes of this battle a little differently. “People can say ‘battle’ or whatever,” Hukporti said on Thursday. “But when it comes to the end goal, (you’re) coming together as a team and you produce as a team. It don’t matter. It can be me playing five minutes, (Bona) playing 15 minutes. Me playing 25 minutes, him playing 15. … Whoever gets in, gets in. Get the job done. Especially in the playoffs, we need everybody. We need all players.”
- As he acclimates to a new NBA home after spending 10 years in Boston, Jaylen Brown considers it just as important to build “good vibes” with his teammates as to get used to their habits and tendencies on the court, writes Tony Jones of The Athletic. “We’re all normal human beings, spending time with each other and just enjoying each other’s presence,” Brown said. “So, I’m looking forward to these moments, the dinners and the team outings. I’m looking forward to getting to know each other, families, backgrounds, wives and kids.” Brown added on Thursday that Tyrese Maxey has helped him feel welcome in Philadelphia, referring to the All-Star guard as a “great leader” and “great host,” per Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.
- He’s the least accomplished player in a lineup that features James, Brown, Maxey, and Joel Embiid, but second-year guard VJ Edgecombe shouldn’t be overlooked, Jones says in another story for The Athletic. The 76ers want Edgecombe to continue to be aggressive offensively, and he’ll likely be tasked with the toughest perimeter defensive assignment on a given night, as Jones details.
- Embiid sat down with ESPN’s Malika Andrews (Twitter video link) to discuss the Sixers’ championship aspirations, the new additions to the roster, and a handful of other topics.
Sixers Notes: Simons, Load Management, Maxey, Wade
While the the Sixers’ star acquisitions generated more headlines this summer, the team also worked to rebuild its bench depth. A key part of that effort will be the play of scoring guard Anfernee Simons, who signed a two-year contract with the team.
Simons is undoubtedly a high-level shooter, but it remains to be seen how he’ll hold up on the other end of the floor, Adam Aaronson writes for the Philly Voice. It isn’t a question of whether he’ll be the worst defender on the roster, says Aaronson, but rather if he’ll be such a liability that the team can’t trust him in the playoffs.
While Simons’ defense has been subpar for much of his career, it may be more palatable in a reserve role, Trail Blazers reporter Sean Highkin said in an interview with Gina Mizell of the Philly Inquirer.
Despite the defensive concerns, Simons’ offensive upside is significant enough that he may be able to establish himself as part of some of the team’s most productive lineups, Aaronson notes.
We have more from the Sixers:
- Two of Philadelphia’s biggest stars, Joel Embiid and LeBron James, enter the fall facing real questions about how they will hold up over the course of the regular season. It’s a concern the Sixers are taking seriously, but they haven’t yet made a determination when it comes to a load management program, Tony Jones writes for The Athletic. “We are going to start having conversations,” head coach Nick Nurse said. “It’s obviously a very good question and a very good point, and it makes sense that people are talking about it. We’ll have plenty of discussions about it. I think that now that we’re kind of here, we’re kind of lasering that down into what it’s going to look like.”
- Tyrese Maxey has been an All-Star in two of the last three seasons and should be in line for another big year, but he’s not interested in individual accolades, Dave McMenamin writes for ESPN. “I’m at the point now where I’ve showed what I can do talent-wise,” the star guard said. “Of course, I’m going to continue to get better, but I want to be judged by winning. If we win, that’s what I want to be judged by. That’s really my main mindset, my main goal, is finding ways to win.” For what it’s worth, Maxey would become eligible for a super-max contract extension if he makes an All-NBA team in 2026/27.
- Another key, newly added reserve is former Cavaliers forward Dean Wade, who joined the Sixers on a four-year, $39MM deal. Wade’s indefatigable work ethic is one of the reasons he has become such a successful role player in the league, Cavs reporter Chris Fedor tells Mizell of The Inquirer in a conversation about what the forward can bring to Philadelphia. His impact may not show up in the box score, but it will be felt through his effort and defensive intensity. For his part, Wade is excited to be part of a versatile defensive team alongside strong defenders and athletes in James, VJ Edgecombe, and Jaylen Brown, Chris Hine writes for the Inquirer. “That’s what’s going to separate us on the defensive end too, we have so many great defenders, great help side defenders and great on-ball defenders,” Wade said. If there’s one area his team wants to see him improve in, it’s his aggression as a shooter. “[I’ll] be on him this year about shooting the ball,” Maxey said. “I want him to shoot a lot of threes. He can shoot the ball.”
LeBron James Discusses Decision To Sign With Sixers
Agent Rich Paul spoke at length across multiple episodes of his podcast this summer about why certain destinations would or wouldn’t appeal to his client LeBron James in free agency. However, James himself had been relatively mum about his decision to sign a minimum-salary contract the Sixers until he spoke on Friday’s episode of the Mind the Game podcast about his thinking.
As Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice relays, James cited the ability to team up with Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid as a major reason why he chose Philadelphia. James’ friendship with Maxey, a fellow Klutch Sports client, has been well-documented, and LeBron confirmed to co-host Steve Nash that his relationship with the star guard “goes beyond the court.”
“I just love everything about Tyrese Maxey, man,” James said. “Every day, you get the same person. And that is very rare, in sports and obviously super rare in life. And I’ve always talked about how great of a person he is. And we obviously know what he brings to the basketball court.
“When I became a free agent and we decided to let the Lakers know that I wouldn’t be returning, he was one of the first people that was on my line, calling me… There’s a lot of times that I just don’t answer the phone, for a lot of phone calls. Because I don’t want to be swayed in one way. I already know what you’re calling about. But he’s such a great person, I can’t not talk to him.”
Despite his close ties to Maxey, James wasn’t believed to be viewing Philadelphia as a legitimate landing spot until after the team made a deal with Boston to acquire Brown. On Friday’s podcast, the four-time MVP confirmed that the trade put the Sixers firmly on his radar and made it clear he’s looking forward to playing with the All-NBA wing.
“I love the way that he approaches the game,” James said of Brown. “Both sides of the floor, what he brings to the game, his insight on the game. I’ve watched him – kind of misunderstood, and that is absolutely okay. I think we’re all individuals for a reason. And everyone’s always trying to put everybody in the same box. And I love what he stands for, what he brings to the table, in that fashion.
James’ glowing remarks about Maxey and Brown came as little surprise, given that reporting back in July indicated they were both factors in his decision. However, LeBron also spoke to Nash about why the opportunity to join forces with Embiid, a seven-time All-Star and former MVP, appealed to him.
“He’s done everything in our league, and the only thing he has not done is win a championship,” James said. “And I want to try to help him get that first one. He’s been the MVP of our league, has a gold medal, All-Stars, signature shoes, a bunch of money, beautiful family, he has everything. He has a city on his back. He’s been ‘The Process’ for 10 years, 12 years, however long he’s been there.
“But I think it’s time we even get you deeper into The Process. And I hope that I can be, kind of, that final little piece that can help him get over the hump, and have him maybe see it a little bit differently than he’s seen it in his career, as far as the day-to-day process, the day-to-day, what it takes to get there.”
With James and Brown set to join Maxey, Embiid, and second-year guard VJ Edgecombe in the 76ers’ starting lineup, many of the pre-camp conversations about the new-look team have revolved around how so many ball-dominant players will mesh offensively. But James spent plenty of time talking to Nash about Philadelphia’s defensive potential, suggesting that Edgecombe has the tools to be an All-Defensive player and noting that getting stops and creating turnovers will allow Maxey and Edgecombe to use their speed in transition.
James pointed to the 2019 Raptors championship team as an example of a Nick Nurse squad featuring several “high-IQ” players who took pride in playing aggressive defense and winning the possession battle. LeBron is hopeful this year’s Sixers can emulate that approach.
“We have the speed, we have the athleticism, now it’s about, do we have the discipline to actually be able to take that on the defensive end and hold each other accountable too?” James said. “Because that’s what it’s about. We’ve got to force guys into contested twos, try not to give up straight-line drives, don’t give up corner threes, and then we’ve got to rebound, you know? As fast, athletic as we can be, we can’t do s–t if we don’t get the rebound. So that’s important.”
Sixers Notes: Wade, Bona, LeBron, KCP, 2029 Pick
Although he was quickly overshadowed by the acquisitions of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James, free agent forward Dean Wade was the player the Sixers were pursuing most aggressively when free agency opened on the evening of June 30 and represented the first major roster addition of the team’s offseason when he agreed to a four-year, $39MM deal.
Speaking to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints about his experience in free agency, Wade noted that his existing relationship with new Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, who previously worked in Cleveland, was a significant factor as he weighed his options.
“The 76ers were super interested as soon as they could start talking with me in free agency,” Wade said. “Mike and those guys were calling me non-stop during the first five hours or so of free agency, and that told me everything I needed to know about how much they valued me. And having Mike, someone who has always believed in me and supported me, goes a long way. As far as basketball goes, I wanted to go somewhere that was ready to compete and be a title-contending team.
“… My relationship with Gansey and having the opportunity to play for a real contender on a very competitive team stood out. And as soon as I made my decision, Jaylen was traded here, and then LeBron joined on as well. That immediately let me know I made the right decision.”
As Wade tells Siegel, at the time he made his commitment as a free agent, he viewed Philadelphia as a team that would be “competitive” in the Eastern Conference. But following the Brown and James additions, he knows that the expectations for the 76ers have risen — and he believes the club is capable of living up to those increased expectations.
“Trying to be as unbiased as I can, when I look at this team, it’s hard to ignore the talent. It stands out immediately,” Wade said. “This is by far the best team I’ve ever been on, and that’s not to talk down about any other team I’ve been a part of. There is no doubt in my mind that this team has what it takes to compete for a championship.”
We have more on the Sixers:
- During his interview with Siegel, Wade admitted he was “kind of fanboying at first” when he learned that LeBron would be joining the Sixers. Big man Adem Bona had a similar reaction. “I just started screaming at the top of my voice in the car,” Bona said (Twitter video link). “I had my brothers with me and we just started jumping in the car, and the car started bouncing, literally. … I’m pretty excited.”
- Chris Hine and DeAntae Prince of The Philadelphia Inquirer consider which member of the Sixers’ starting lineup will have to sacrifice the most as a result of the team’s new-look “big five.” Hine makes the case for why it will be Joel Embiid, while Prince argues that it will be Tyrese Maxey.
- In a separate story for The Inquirer, Gina Mizell talks to Magic beat writer Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel to get a sense of how much veteran wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope still has left in the tank. Beede believes the fit wasn’t quite right for Caldwell-Pope in Orlando and thinks he can be a “trustworthy” reserve in Philadelphia.
- The Sixers’ ability to swap their first-round pick for the Clippers’ top-three protected pick in 2029 is unaffected by the NBA’s decision to strip L.A. of five future first-rounders, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com confirms. The Clippers will forfeit a 2029 pick as part of their penalty for salary cap circumvention, but that selection will be the Pacers’ first-rounder.
Sixers Notes: Edgecombe, Maxey, Brown, LeBron
Some outside observers have expressed concern that having so many stars on the Sixers might affect VJ Edgecombe‘s development, but the second-year guard isn’t worried about that, Chris Hine of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes in a subscriber-only story. Speaking to reporters Saturday at his youth basketball camp, Edgecombe said he welcomes the additions of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James.
“It don’t matter what happens, there’s always going to be someone that has something to say,” Edgecombe said. “But I just want to win. I’m going to still be aggressive, still be myself. If that comes with less shots or more shots, who knows. I don’t know how the course of the game is going to go. I’m just excited to play alongside my teammates. I think we have a chance to do something really special.”
Edgecombe is coming off a fantastic first season where he averaged 16 points per game and finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting. He was viewed as a rising star playing alongside Tyrese Maxey in the Sixers’ backcourt, but his immediate role may have changed after the team’s productive offseason. Rather than dwelling on that, Edgecombe views it as a learning opportunity.
“(I’ll) have a bunch of questions, so I’m going to have to control myself when it comes to asking questions,” he said. “I’m totally excited. It’s such a blessing. I’m going into Year 2, playing alongside my favorite player ever (James). … That’s the main thing for me — just learning, getting to know them. They’re all great persons. Down to earth, (they’re) not acting super big-time like they are, but they’re really a bunch of humble men. I’m just glad to be around them.”
There’s more from Philadelphia:
- In an interview with Sam Yip of HoopsHype, Maxey says he’s working to improve his leadership, play-making skills and defense for the upcoming season. He also addresses the hierarchy for taking clutch shots with so many high-level scorers on the team, saying it will often depend on the circumstances. “I think the biggest thing is we can’t have anybody, nobody on this team can have an ego,” Maxey said. “We have two guys that have won regular-season MVPs, two guys that have won Finals MVPs, multiple gold medal winners on this team, multiple 25-plus points per game, All-Stars, All-NBA. We’re all pretty accomplished. So the ego has to drop and you have to do it collectively.”
- Mark Medina of R.org talks to Brown’s trainer about the changes his client will encounter playing in Philadelphia. “He’s going to see a lot more one-on-one coverages this year,” Dash Lovell said of Brown. “Why would you double on that team? Who are you going to double off of on that team? Maxey? No. Are you going to double off ‘Bron? LeBron is one of the best cutters in NBA history. If you watch LeBron off the ball, he doesn’t have to stand to catch-and-shoot. If you turn your back, he’s going to cut. He’s going to get six or eight points just off of cuts.”
- Brown joined James and Maxey for a workout Wednesday morning in Los Angeles, relays Dave McMenamin of ESPN (Twitter link).
Sixers Notes: Lineups, Two-Way, Maxey, Preseason
The Sixers have rarely had the kind of firepower they currently boast, according to Adam Aaronson of The Philly Voice, who notes that Philadelphia’s collection of scoring threats puts the team in position to withstand injuries to key starters without its offense falling off significantly.
That depth provides a lot of built-in security but also raises questions about which lineups head coach Nick Nurse will employ. One thing is certain, Aaronson writes: Nurse will have to rely on staggering his stars if he wants to give each of his top five scoring threats the type of offensive freedom they’re accustomed to.
It’s crucial for Nurse to experiment with different star configurations before the 2027 playoffs to know which buttons to press, Aaronson adds. Joel Embiid represents something of a wild card — he’s the star expected to play the least and also has the least proven depth behind him. Embiid also plays at his own speed, while the rest of the starting lineup is comfortable playing either fast or slow.
Embiid may be the least staggered, which would lead to figuring out which pairings of Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe, and LeBron James are the most effective together. Maxey and James are an interesting combination, as James’ play-making complements Maxey’s off-ball speed and shot-making.
We have more news and notes out of Philadelphia:
- The Sixers have filled two of their three two-way slots, signing guard Caleb Love and wing Rayan Rupert, and the team has gotten significant value out of their two-ways in the past, including unearthing positive contributors in Dominick Barlow, Justin Edwards, and Jabari Walker. Philadelphia plans to enter the preseason with its third and final two-way slot unfilled, Aaronson reports. That will allow the team to evaluate its training camp invitees while also keeping an eye out for two-way players from other rosters who might shake loose before opening night.
- Maxey recently discussed his recruitment of James to the Sixers on the Numbers On The Board podcast, denying that he was “blowing up” James’ phone. “Now, did I call? For sure, for sure. I didn’t know at first if it was possible or not,” he said (Twitter video link). “… [Agent Rich Paul] was like, ‘Look, I don’t know what he’s gonna do, he doesn’t know what he’s gonna do, so holla at him… I probably talked to him at least three or four times.” Maxey added that James has been a big brother figure to him since he was drafted in 2020, and their offseason workouts helped open the door for these conversations.
- The Sixers’ preseason schedule was announced on Monday, as relayed by Keith Pompey (via Twitter). The opening game will take place on October 5 against the defending champion Knicks, in a preview of their season opener on October 20. They will then have three more games over the next eight days against the Nets and Celtics.
