The Sixers Have Traded Away Legends Before

By the 76ers Nightly Desk · Wednesday, September 23

Philadelphia has traded away a franchise cornerstone before, and it worked out fine as history. This year's version runs Paul George through Boston for Jaylen Brown, on a roster that already costs $213.2 million.

76ers Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Is trading a franchise centerpiece new territory for the Sixers?

Not remotely. Wilt Chamberlain, an Overbrook High product who defined the franchise's move to Philadelphia, was dealt to the Lakers after the 1967-68 season for Archie Clark, Darrall Imhoff and Jerry Chambers. Sending Paul George plus two first-round picks and two second-round picks to Boston for Jaylen Brown fits the same pattern: this team has always been willing to blow up a core for the next one.

Why does trading with Boston specifically sting more than any other deal?

The Celtics eliminated the Nationals and 76ers from the playoffs repeatedly through the 1950s and 1960s, including a quadruple-overtime game in 1953 that remains the longest in NBA history. Brown spent his career on the other side of that rivalry before this offseason's trade brought him to Philadelphia, flipping the franchise's oldest playoff tormentor into a starter on Nick Nurse's roster.

Has a Sixers team ever spent this much and still fallen short?

Danny Biasone founded this franchise in 1946 for $5,000; the 2026-27 roster carries 18 contracts worth $213.2 million, above the $209.0 million first apron. The titles in 1955, 1967 and 1983 were won by Hall of Fame cores, not payroll totals, so Embiid, Maxey, Brown and James will have to prove the roster's talent matters more than its price tag.

Does this team have the pedigree to add another MVP-flavored era?

Five 76ers have combined for seven MVP awards: Chamberlain, Erving, Malone, Iverson and Embiid. Embiid already owns one of those trophies; James and Brown arrive with resumes built elsewhere, since Nurse's job is turning three separate legacies into one roster that stretches from Schayes and Barkley to Embiid.

Why does opening the season at the Knicks matter beyond the standings?

New York eliminated Philadelphia in the first round in 2024 and swept them out of the second round last season, making the Knicks the closest thing this era has to the Celtics rivalry of the 1950s and 1960s. Philadelphia opens 2026-27 at the Knicks on October 20, putting that history first on the schedule before Embiid, Maxey, James and Brown play a single meaningful minute.

The verdictJaylen Brown is this era's version of the deal that sent Wilt Chamberlain to the Lakers: a franchise betting its whole shape on what one blockbuster trade brings back. Philadelphia has made that bet before and only sometimes won.

Did the 76ers trade Wilt Chamberlain to the Lakers?

Yes. Philadelphia dealt Chamberlain to the Lakers after the 1967-68 season for Archie Clark, Darrall Imhoff and Jerry Chambers.

How much is the 76ers' roster costing them for 2026-27?

Their 18 contracts total $213.2 million, above the NBA's $209.0 million first apron.