After the representative for Jaylen Brown refused Brian Scalabrino’s claim that the Browns sought a trade from Boston this offseason and presented Celtics with a number of requirements, Art Sixers the wing itself disputed Scalabrino’s account on Wednesday.
“I’ve never had a problem with Scal. I love Scal.” Brown said after Philadelphia’s win over the Pacers, for Tony Jones of The Athletic. “But I guess he’s doing what he’s got to do. I can understand why he feels the need to. But I’m not interested in any false accusations following me into my next chapter here in Philadelphia. I’ve never demanded a trade. I’ve never made a list of ultimatums. Nothing like that. None of that is true.
“But for now, I’m just going to focus on what’s in front of me here in Philadelphia. I’ve got a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to it. So, I’m just going to leave the questions for another time. But during the season, I’m just going to focus on what’s in front of me.
After claiming on his SiriusXM NBA Radio show Monday that he heard Brown had demanded a trade, shared a “want list” with the Celtics and wanted to be sent to Milwaukee, Scalabrine somewhat backtracked on those claims on NBC Sports Boston later in the day, saying that “technically” Brown had not demanded a trade and adding that he had “no idea” that 30-year-old – asked the team.
However, Scalabrine insisted that Brown has given the Celtics some kind of ultimatum, saying Tuesday on SiriusXM that the former Celtic “wants to be the victim in all of this.”
We have more on the 76ers:
- Jones of The Athletic and Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com both took a closer look at the Sixers’ backup center situation this week, with Jones calling it a “significant issue” for the team and Aaronson listing some potential targets in free agency or the trade market and discussing their viability. Dominic Barlow is a potential wild card to keep an eye on given his ability to play center, Jones notes, but the fifth-year forward remains unavailable due to a past issue.
- For now LeBron James and Joel Embiid are still getting used to playing with each other, James has already shown how he can make life easier for Embiid, according to Aaronsonwhich suggests the four-time MVP is the best pass rusher the big man has ever played with. “I’m only 6’3” teammate Tyrese Maxey said “So when they go against Joel or stuff like that, I can’t always see him. So to be able to pass the ball to a guy like LeBron … who could see through the defense and make those passes is really good.”
- After missing the preseason with a hamstring injury, the Sixers guard. Anfernie Simons got off to a slow start for his new team, averaging 6.0 points per game on 25.8% shooting in his first four regular season games. Still, the 27-year-old expressed confidence ahead of Wednesday’s game at Indiana that his shot will work, writes Chris Hine of The Philadelphia Inquirer (subscription required). “Usually when I’m struggling for a couple of games, I might just want to go out on the court, see the ball go through the hoop a few times,” he said. “So I might get in a whole bunch of reps or just do 30 minutes, like a hard workout, just to feel in a rhythm.” Simons’ routine worked as he hit six 3-pointers and scored 20 points Wednesday in his best game as a 76er.
