It’s preseason. It doesn’t count. Nobody in Boston cares about that. This one is personal. The man who said blowing a 3-1 lead was the best season of his career is coming back to town with a self appointed super team.
When the Philadelphia 76ers walk into TD Garden on Saturday, October 10 at 8 p.m. ET, Jaylen Brown will be wearing a Sixers jersey in the building where he won a championship. That’s not an exhibition game. That’s a breakup you have to watch live. One of my favorite songs is The Other Side by Gil Scott Heron in which he sings the following words. Home is where the hatred is… It might not be such a bad idea if I never went home again.
Sure Jaylen has moved but emotions will be high in the other garden. Brown comes in with a Lebron, Embiid and Maxey on the quest to start something special and conventional wisdom would give them a good chance. But the NBA is never conventional.
How We Got Here
Before we go forward lets go back. On July 1, the Celtics traded Brown to Philadelphia. Here’s the deal:
- Sixers get: Jaylen Brown
- Celtics get: Paul George, first-round picks in 2028 and 2031, and second-round picks in 2028 and 2030 (the 2028 first can reportedly become a pick swap if it favors Boston)
Brown wasn’t a guy on the decline. He’s the 2024 Finals MVP, a five-time All-Star, and made All-NBA Second Team last season averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists. He’s 29. That’s prime. Sure he couldn’t beat the Knicks or the Sixers for that matter but who’s counting.
After being shopped for Giannis Brown had to be shipped. Especially after reports suggest Brown felt underappreciated after being shopped again. Still according to reports, Brown never asked to leave.
Boston broke up the Tatum and Brown duo that won the 2024 title. That’s the part Celtics fans will be seething.
Then LeBron Happened
Three weeks later, the Sixers went from interesting to terrifying. LeBron James signed a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option on July 24, his fourth team in what will be a record 24th season. The governor of Pennsylvania declared it LeBron James Day. This cost the ticket prices to skyrockets but if recent history holds true. Embiid and 42 year old Lebron will be out a large chunk of the games and with all those mouths to feed drama is bound to show its face.
The projected starting five:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| PG | Tyrese Maxey |
| SG | VJ Edgecombe |
| SF | Jaylen Brown |
| PF | LeBron James |
| C | Joel Embiid |
That’s a former MVP, a former Finals MVP, the all-time leading scorer, an All-Star guard, and last year’s rookie starter. On paper, that’s a problem for the entire East.
The Subplots
The Embiid thing. Before the trade, Brown called Embiid a flopper on a livestream while also calling him one of the best bigs in basketball history. Now they share a locker room. Chemistry check: pending.
The Paul George thing. George, now 36, spent last year’s playoffs guarding Brown. Now he’s in Boston, and he’s the guy Celtics fans will measure against the guy who left.
The playoff thing. Philly beat Boston in a seven-game first-round series last spring. Then the Knicks swept them in the second round on the way to New York’s first title in 53 years. The Sixers know exactly who they’re chasing.
The schedule thing. This is the first of two preseason meetings. Boston visits Philly on October 16. Then the real season opens October 20 with the Sixers at Madison Square Garden against the defending champs. Somebody at the league office has a sense of humor.
The Sixers are getting a lot of hype but in all honesty. This is likely a C move at best. I will predict they make the playoffs without home court advantage in any series. The Raptors, Pacers, Wizards, Cavs are all better than the Sixers. Thats not even including the world champion Knicks. So we will get a glimpse of this “Stuper Team” on Saturday. Will you be tuned in?
How to Watch
- Sixers at Celtics (preseason): Saturday, October 10, 8 p.m. ET, TD Garden. Celtics preseason games air on NBC Sports Boston.
- Celtics at Sixers (preseason): Friday, October 16, 7 p.m. ET.
- Regular season opener: Sixers at Knicks, Tuesday, October 20, 7 p.m. ET.
FAQ
When does Jaylen Brown return to Boston? The 76ers play the Celtics at TD Garden in a preseason game on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET.
What did the Celtics get for Jaylen Brown? Paul George, two first-round picks (2028 and 2031) and two second-round picks (2028 and 2030).
Did Jaylen Brown request a trade from Boston? Reportedly, no. Brown is said to have felt underappreciated after being included in trade talks for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Who is on the 76ers starting lineup? The projected starters are Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James and Joel Embiid.
How much did LeBron James sign with the 76ers for? A two-year, $8 million deal with a player option.
