NBA veteran Tracy McGrady has reported that newly acquired Philadelphia 76ers player Jaylen Brown and team star Joel Embiid have yet to speak since Brown was traded to the team on July 1. McGrady shared this observation on his show "Cousins" with Vince Carter.
"I don't think there's been a conversation between the two, at least not to my knowledge," McGrady said regarding the interaction between Brown and Embiid. McGrady noted that Brown has reportedly communicated with teammates Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe.
Both McGrady and Carter suggested that Brown should have initiated contact with Embiid, as Embiid has been the established star of the 76ers for an extended period. They also indicated that Embiid should have made an effort to reach out to Brown. "We're getting off to a fresh start, Joel; you're getting off to a fresh start, and now you add in another MVP, along with the young boys that you have to make things easier for you," McGrady commented on the situation.
The tension between Embiid and Brown was first highlighted in May during their playoff series. Following a game, Brown publicly accused Embiid of "flopping" and suggested that the referees rewarded him with favorable calls. "We tried a bunch of different things. He's a big body. He also was flopping around. He got some extra calls and they rewarded him for that, but that's the league we're in," Brown stated.
Despite the reported lack of communication, Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey expressed optimism about the team's new dynamic. Gansey stated that both players are "welcoming the change" and that Embiid is in a good place this offseason. "He is fired up. I called him right after the trade, and he was excited," Gansey told 97.5 The Fanatic.
The addition of Brown is expected to alleviate some of the pressure and workload on Embiid, particularly as Tyrese Maxey continues his development as a star player. This could also allow Embiid to manage his physical load more effectively and focus on recovery, a crucial factor given his history of injuries. The 76ers are looking to rebound after being swept by the New York Knicks in the previous postseason, following their upset victory over the Boston Celtics in the first round.