Jaylen Brown's Joel Embiid Accusation Resurfaces After 76ers Trade

Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Jaylen Brown's Joel Embiid Accusation Resurfaces After 76ers Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jul 2, 2026 7:01 AM ET

Things could get awkward between new Philadelphia 76ers teammates Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid.

The Boston Celtics dealt Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks, per Shams Charania. The blockbuster trade officially ends Brown's 10-season run in Boston. His tenure included five All-Star appearances and the most combined regular-season and playoff wins of any player over that span.

He arrives in Philadelphia just two seasons after winning NBA Finals MVP and helping the Celtics capture a championship in 2024. Brown projects as a strong fit alongside fellow All-Stars Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. His arrival gives Philadelphia a formidable new Big 3.

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) against the Philadelphia 76ers. © Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

The fit looks good on paper, but an old video resurfaced quickly, complicating the narrative. Brown once accused his new starting center of flopping.

"I mean, this is my personal opinion on basketball," Brown said in a previous Twitch stream. "Some of y'all might disagree, you know what I mean? But argue with your grandma. Flopping has ruined our game. Joel Embiid is a great player, one of the best bigs in basketball history. Flops."

"Flopping has ruined our game."

Now Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid are teammates

(via fchwpo/Twitch) pic.twitter.com/ctIl1dmzwJ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 1, 2026

Brown is coming off the best season of his career. He anchored Boston without Jayson Tatum, who missed the first 62 games of the season with a torn Achilles.

Brown posted career highs of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. The 29-year-old shot 47.7% from the field and 34.7 percent from three.

The Sixers eliminated the Celtics in the first round last postseason, winning Game 7, 109-100.

Philadelphia completed a 3-1 comeback, just the second time in franchise history. Embiid was exceptional throughout the series, averaging 24.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists.

Brown and Embiid now share a locker room. How that dynamic unfolds once the season tips off will be worth watching.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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