Jaylen Brown gives 76ers a chance at title, but chemistry will decide their ceiling

It could take time getting used to seeing Jaylen Brown in a Philadelphia 76ers jersey, but the possibilities for his new team are tantalizing.

To preview how the 76ers will evolve after trading for Brown, The Athletic put together a roundtable with Celtics writer Jay King and 76ers writer Tony Jones.

How will Brown change the 76ers’ style of play?

Jay King: Throughout his time in Boston, Brown consistently wanted the Celtics to pick up the pace. The 76ers should help grant him that wish.

With Brown, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, they have three dynamic ballhandlers who thrive in open space. Maxey (second) and Brown (fourth) were both among the league leaders in transition points scored per game last season. They can turn defense into offense in a hurry. I expect the 76ers to give them plenty of freedom early in the shot clock, though they will need to find the right tempo to also suit Joel Embiid.

The offensive balance will also be interesting. Brown ranked second in usage rate last season. Maxey finished 15th. Embiid didn’t play enough to qualify but would have also been among the league leaders. So, they will all need to significantly sacrifice touches to make their partnership work.

Tony Jones: It changes their rim pressure and gives them three-level scorer. Brown’s ability to control possessions and break down a defense is something the Sixers sorely need, particularly from the perimeter. Last season, if it wasn’t Tyrese Maxey getting into the paint and collapsing a defense, it was often nobody. It became a glaring weakness as the season progressed. Brown is capable of creating offense and basketball advantage at an elite level.

Because of that, it should cause a nice reaction for the Sixers. Maxey and Brown can work off each other’s gravity. Edgecombe, instead of being guarded by a good perimeter defender, will probably get to feast off weaker ones. Philadelphia’s role players should get open shots. Embiid won’t need to be a focal point every moment he’s on the floor.

What will be the biggest challenge for Philadelphia to figure out on the court?

King: How will they design their offense with two guys (Brown and Embiid) who love to operate from similar spots? Brown led the NBA in 2-point shot attempts last season. Only four players averaged more midrange shots than he did, but Embiid was one of them. They both like to go to work near the free-throw line. So, how will they co-exist?

They’re both versatile players. I expect them to figure out things together. But I don’t think their fit will be seamless. They could need time to develop chemistry and the proper floor balance.

Jones: This is the other way. There is one question that pertains to this: If Embiid, Brown and Maxey are all on the floor at the same time in a close game, who takes the final shot? Who takes the most important possessions?

This will be a prideful dynamic, which is one of the issues with having three All-NBA level players in their respective offensive primes. Brown was one of the best players in the league last season. Maxey was one of the best point guards in the league, and Embiid proved he is still one of the best offensive players of this generation. And adding to that, Edgecombe’s ceiling is sky-high, and he needs to not be ignored.

The Sixers will have to figure that out. They are going to have to find a dynamic that works, and they will probably have to find that dynamic in games that Embiid will probably miss.

How will Brown impact the 76ers locker room?

King: Brown has been on great teams. He knows what goes into winning. The way he works will help set the tone for that entire organization. The 76ers, who haven’t been past the second round since the days of Allen Iverson, probably needed an infusion of championship DNA. Brown won’t be afraid to ruffle some feathers, though, which could create some conflict along the way — though that won’t necessarily be a bad thing, either. The Celtics certainly won a lot with him over the years.

Jones: He’s an alpha entering a locker room full of alphas. One thing that helps: The Sixers shifted pretty definitively towards it being Maxey’s locker room last season, and that should benefit Philadelphia. Brown is as smart as a whip. One would think he has the self-awareness to come into the locker room and blend in. If he can do that, the Sixers will benefit greatly from his competitiveness and championship pedigree.

Brown knows how to win. He knows what it takes. He’s been a finals MVP and can help in that manner, even if Maxey is the leader. The question is how he and Embiid mesh. There’s been no love lost between them in the past, and they are now teammates. But Brown is a lot like Jimmy Butler was, as a player and person, in 2018, and that was the best team Embiid has been a part of. The relationship between those two will be one to watch. But just as Brown will have a chip on his shoulder, Embiid hasn’t won a title. And the clock is rapidly ticking on his career. And this is a team that could be good enough to win a title.

What is the 76ers’ ceiling now?

King: Their chances still depend on Embiid staying healthy, which is always a big if. Still, they have enough talent to contend for a championship if everything breaks right for them. The Knicks lost Mitchell Robinson, the Celtics traded Brown, and every other Eastern Conference challenger is unproven. I wouldn’t expect the 76ers to win the title, but it’s within the realm of possibility.

Jones: They have an NBA championship ceiling. And this is true, whether their recruitment of LeBron James is successful or not.

Having that ceiling doesn’t mean they will get there. They don’t need Embiid to play a lot of games in the regular season. Brown and Maxey are good enough to get them wins. But, they need Embiid healthy to win a title. On paper, the Sixers could be flat out lethal offensively. But, will they defend at a high enough level? These are going to be questions that need to be answered.

What is your expectation for Philadelphia after the trade?

King: I could be wrong, but I think the 76ers will need time to figure out their new identity. They have a lot of big-time scorers, but they will all need to reshape their games to mesh as a team. They should still compete for homecourt advantage in the East, but I don’t expect them to finish first or second in the conference. They will be dangerous when the playoffs come, though, as long as they’re all healthy.

Jones: With James still on the market, it’s hard to predict where the Sixers will finish, but, as Jay said, a top-four landing is definitely in play. I do think if the Sixers have a lights-out regular season, a top-two finish is possible. But that will depend on health that hasn’t been present in the last few seasons.

Brown helps significantly with Philadelphia’s floor. He proved last season he is capable of taking an undermanned team to a 50-win season. So, if the Sixers need him to break out his cape, he is certainly capable.