Fresh 76ers Rumors on Jaylen Brown-Joel Embiid Dynamic After Celtics Trade

Fans of the NBA aren't the only ones curious about how Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid will mesh on the same team.

The Athletic's Jay King reported Thursday that "several people around the NBA believe the dynamic between the two new teammates will be fascinating."

"Brown and Embiid likely have a deep mutual respect after years of competing against each other, but will need to learn how to maximize each other as teammates," King said. "It wouldn't be a surprise to see Brown push Embiid to another level. It also wouldn't be a surprise for the two players to encounter some friction along the way."

Tony Jones of The Athletic reported earlier this week that Brown and Embiid have conversed following the former's trade to the Philadelphia 76ers, pushing back on a report to the contrary.

During the chat, the two probably smoothed things over after Brown called a flopper following their playoff series against one another. Even assuming that's all water under the bridge, there's the not-so-small matter of getting them to complement each other on the court.

It's pretty clear Brown enjoyed being the Boston Celtics' No. 1 option this past season as Jayson Tatum recovered from his Achilles injury. That almost certainly factored into his exit with Tatum healthy and assuming top dog status again.

"The common perception is that Brown's unapologetically strong personality, outspokenness and reluctance to adapt his style of play factored into the Celtics' front office's decision that he needed to be traded now," ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported on July 6. "That prompted worries about how Brown would fit with other teams with established stars."

Brown is basically entering the same situation in Philly because the Sixers are Embiid's team. He has been the cornerstone there for a decade.

Tyrese Maxey has also averaged 20-plus points for four straight years, and All-Rookie honoree VJ Edgecombe is on the rise. Everyone will need to sacrifice to some degree to ensure there are enough offensive looks to go around.

As it relates to Embiid, the problem could solve itself to some degree given he has missed so much time through injury. The Sixers acquired Brown in part because he could be the No. 1 guy when Embiid is hurt or being rested.

There's no question Brown's arrival raises Philadelphia's ceiling at a time when the organization looked seriously stuck. The trade isn't without some risk.