Tracy McGrady Reveals Key to 76ers' Success After Jaylen Brown Trade
The Philadelphia 76ers took a major leap towards their goal of winning the NBA championship when they made a no-brainer trade, sending Paul George and future first and second-round draft picks to the Boston Celtics for Jaylen Brown.
That added the five-time All-Star to a lineup that already features two All-Star players in Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, as well as an emerging young star in VJ Edgecombe. It instantly turned Philadelphia back into a top contender in the Eastern Conference.
According to NBA legend Tracy McGrady, the 76ers’ success will hinge on Embiid, who has dealt with injury issues throughout his career. While he was part of the team’s first-round series victory over the Celtics, they will definitely need their big man on the court if they want to contend.
“It all comes down to Joel. VJ's going to do his thing. Maxey going to do his thing. And JB, you got three guys that offensively they're elite. Defensively, they could be elite together, and it's just how we roll it out with the big fella. If he's healthy, [expletive], I look at them being in the Finals. I don't care what nobody say,” McGrady said on the “Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady” podcast.
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The injury setbacks have been ongoing for the 76ers’ big man. Early in Embiid’s career, he was sidelined for two years due to a stress fracture in his right foot. Over the years, he’s dealt with left and right knee issues, LCL sprain, and torn menisci, which required Embiid to have surgery in 2024.
Embiid played in only 38 games last season, averaging 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists with a 48.9% field goal percentage.
He participated in four games of his team’s first-round series in the 2026 NBA Playoffs and helped the 76ers eliminate the Boston Celtics, 4-3. However, Philadelphia ran into the New York Knicks, who promptly swept them. Embiid played in three of those four losses.
For the 2026-27 campaign, he’ll have Brown among his All-Star teammates in the starting lineup, which already seems to give the Celtics instant contender status. This is still a wait-and-see situation, because it’s easier to say they’re contenders on paper. Seeing them in action and whether they can gel as a team will be more accurate evidence.
Interestingly, DraftKings Sportsbook lists the 76ers at +2000 odds right now to win the championship, which is fifth overall and right behind the Celtics. Boston is +1300, with All-Star Jayson Tatum and former Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George.
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This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 9:50 PM.