Winning is the Philadelphia 76ers' only focus this season, but there is more to a championship formula than creating a talented roster of players. Who is the group's leading voice? Which star does the coach turn to in the dying seconds of a tied game? Where does a front office focus its marketing strategy? The Boston Celtics placed all of their chips on Jayson Tatum, crowning Jaylen Brown as the bridesmaid. With several top options on their roster, the Sixers face an almost identical dilemma.
Jaylen Brown should lead the 76ers into their new era
Few players have shown the terrifying mentality that Brown brings to the court and backed it up by winning a championship. Words are cheap in the NBA; many players believe their own hype and fail to back it up when the spotlight shines brightest -- not Jaylen Brown. The 76ers need a superstar with this mindset leading the franchise, and the City of Philadelphia will buy into how he approaches every moment of his career.
Throughout his career, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP has matched hustle with blistering performances; nevertheless, he has had to settle for a secondary role to Jayson Tatum. But last season, when he was unleashed at the forefront of Boston's offense, Brown thrived -- averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. Even this career year won't be enough to convince analysts and fans alike that Brown should be Philadelphia's leading voice.
As long as LeBron James is in the NBA, few will accept that any other player can be crowned as the face of the franchise. Frankly, the Sixers must think of their long-term vision. Yes, they need a championship now; however, creating a culture with a star in his prime at the center of your blueprint is more palatable than a legendary player on the verge of closing the curtain on his career.
The main focus of this discussion shouldn't be LeBron or even Joel Embiid. Building a foundation on blocks that exist in a realm of question marks simply isn't a sensible path to take. Nobody knows James' retirement intentions, and Embiid's fitness issues are as predictable as a game of Russian roulette. Brown brings clarity and consistency.
Tyrese Maxey could pose a threat to Brown's crown
Jaylen Brown might have escaped Tatum's shadow, but he still faces a similar struggle to be a franchise's offensive talisman. Tyrese Maxey is coming off the back of a career year in which he also proved he is capable of assuming a leadership role when his team's star player is unavailable for selection.
During the 2025-26 season, Maxey was trusted to lead the Philadelphia 76ers into battle on many occasions without Embiid and Paul George; yet it only amplified the devastation he produced on the court. The 25-year-old averaged 28.3 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game as he led his teammates to the postseason.
There is no denying that Maxey could become a Philadelphia sporting icon if he continues his rapid ascension to stardom, and being four years younger than his new teammate, it would be hard to argue that the Sixers' front office hedged its bets on him as the franchise's future.
However, Brown holds an accolade that Maxey has yet to claim: an NBA championship. Experience counts when leading an organization with ambitions of winning it all. Time and time again, the Philadelphia 76ers have stumbled in high-pressure situations and failed to produce when it matters. Now, they have acquired a bona fide superstar who lives and breathes success; Jaylen Brown should be the face of the franchise.
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