This week's loudest Sixers story is about how Jaylen Brown left Boston, not anything he has done in Philadelphia. The stories that matter in Indiana tonight are rebounding, a thin frontcourt and who practiced Tuesday.
Did Jaylen Brown demand his way out of Boston, and does it matter here?
A Boston analyst said he did. ESPN and Hoops Rumors both reported that his representative denied it. The Philadelphia Inquirer cited a source refuting the claim, and Liberty Ballers wrote that Brian Scalabrine has sort of taken it back. Either way, it's history. Philadelphia sent Paul George, two firsts and two seconds for Brown, and he earns $57.1 million. Through four games he's averaging 20.8 points and shooting 42.1% from deep. That's the part worth tracking.
Is the rebounding problem real or just a talking point?
It's real. The Inquirer's Chris Hine reported that the Sixers are trying to fix their rebounding while their frontcourt is hurt, and The Sixer Sense called the problem glaring. Four bigs are out: Dominick Barlow (back, targeted for November 2), Jabari Walker (knee, October 30), Tacko Fall (quadriceps, November 4) and Ariel Hukporti (Achilles). VJ Edgecombe, a 21-year-old guard, averages 8.0 rebounds, which trails only Embiid's 9.7 among the regulars. When a rookie-contract guard is your second-best rebounder, the bigs are missing.
Is Adem Bona the answer behind Embiid?
Liberty Ballers says the backup center spot is in a holding pattern, and The Sixer Sense wants Bona to be more consistent. Bona has been healthy since October 20 but isn't among the eight players getting real minutes. Dean Wade, listed at forward-center, has played 32.6 minutes a night in two games. So far the roster doesn't show a plan at the spot. It shows the coaches waiting on bodies to come back.
Who is actually available at Indiana?
The Inquirer's Gina Mizell reported that Edgecombe isn't on Philadelphia's initial list for the game and that Walker has already been ruled out. She also reported that Edgecombe and Fall were full participants in Tuesday's practice, while Walker only did individual work. Fall's full practice is encouraging, but he is still listed Out with a November 4 target. Practicing isn't the same as being cleared to play.
Why apply for a disabled player exception for Hukporti?
Hoops Rumors reported the application. His projected return is October 1, 2027, which means he misses this entire season, and that's the case for the exception. Mizell spotted him scootering around the practice facility. Using the exception would cost money, though. Payroll is $206.6 million, $6.2 million over the $200.4 million tax line, so any salary added for a fifth big gets taxed.
Did Jaylen Brown request a trade from the Celtics?
His representative denied it, according to ESPN and Hoops Rumors, and the Philadelphia Inquirer cited a source refuting the claim.
Is VJ Edgecombe playing against the Pacers?
The Inquirer's Gina Mizell reported that he isn't on the Sixers' initial list for the game. She also reported that he was a full participant in Tuesday's practice.
