The Philadelphia 76ers have made one of the boldest moves of the NBA offseason, and Kevin Durant believes the rest of the Eastern Conference should be paying close attention. Following the blockbuster acquisition of Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics, the Sixers have assembled a new Big 3 featuring Brown, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, creating a roster capable of challenging the conference’s established powers.
Durant did not hesitate when asked for his thoughts on Philadelphia’s revamped lineup, describing the team in three emphatic words that immediately captured the attention of basketball fans across the league.
Kevin Durant Believes the New Big 3 Will Be a Serious Threat
The Sixers completed a stunning trade on July 2, sending Paul George and four draft picks to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Jaylen Brown, a move that instantly reshaped the balance of power in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia had already built its team around franchise center Joel Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, but Brown’s arrival gives the organization a new Big 3 capable of matching the firepower of any contender in the league.
Durant, who was in Philadelphia for the MLB All-Star Game, spoke with NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark about the Sixers’ offseason moves, and his response left little doubt about how highly he rates Philadelphia’s championship chances.
“Dangerous, dangerous, dangerous,” Durant said. “It’s gonna be exciting. I’m happy for him. It’s a fresh start, and Philly fans are going to love him.”
Coming from one of the NBA’s greatest players, the endorsement carries considerable weight because Durant has competed with and against many of the league’s biggest stars throughout his career.
Why Philadelphia’s New Big 3 Looks So Dangerous
The excitement surrounding Philadelphia’s new Big 3 stems from the complementary skill sets of its three stars, each of whom can dominate games in different ways while creating opportunities for the others.
Joel Embiid remains one of the NBA’s most dominant centers when healthy, combining elite scoring with outstanding rebounding and interior defense. Tyrese Maxey has rapidly developed into one of the league’s most explosive guards, capable of taking over games with his speed, shot creation, and improved playmaking.
Jaylen Brown now adds another elite scorer to the mix after enjoying another outstanding campaign in Boston. Brown averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists last season, reinforcing his reputation as one of the league’s premier two-way wings following his NBA Finals MVP performance in 2024.
Rather than serving as a secondary option, Brown joins Philadelphia as another franchise-caliber player, giving the Sixers three legitimate All-Star talents who can carry the offense on any given night.
The team has also strengthened its supporting cast with promising sophomore VJ Edgecombe and experienced forward Dean Wade expected to play significant roles alongside the star trio.
Eastern Conference Race Has Become More Competitive
The arrival of Philadelphia’s new Big 3 comes during one of the busiest offseasons in recent Eastern Conference history, with several contenders making aggressive moves in pursuit of the NBA championship.
The Miami Heat strengthened their roster by acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo to partner Bam Adebayo, while the Toronto Raptors have reportedly agreed to bring back Kawhi Leonard, although that transaction remains subject to an ongoing NBA investigation involving the Los Angeles Clippers.
Meanwhile, the defending champion New York Knicks remain the team to beat after ending a 53-year championship drought behind Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, while the Boston Celtics have entered a new era following Brown’s departure.
Philadelphia believes its new Big 3 can close the gap on the conference leaders after falling to the Knicks in last season’s playoffs, and the organization has clearly prioritized immediate championship contention.
Boston Takes a Different Direction
While Philadelphia strengthened its roster, Boston chose a different financial path by trading one of its franchise cornerstones.
The Celtics received veteran forward Paul George in return, but questions remain about his long-term durability after injuries limited him to no more than 41 games in each of the past two seasons. George is also entering the campaign with a salary exceeding $54 million, making the financial implications of the trade significant.
Celtics president Brad Stevens explained that the organization did not want approximately 70 percent of its salary cap committed to only two players, leading the franchise to reshape its roster rather than continue with its previous financial structure.
That decision opened the door for Philadelphia to construct its new Big 3, a move that could redefine the rivalry between the two Atlantic Division rivals.
Can the Sixers Finally Reach the NBA Finals?
Talent has rarely been Philadelphia’s biggest obstacle in recent seasons. Instead, injuries, inconsistency, and disappointing playoff exits have repeatedly prevented the franchise from fulfilling its championship ambitions.
The addition of Brown provides another elite scorer who can reduce the offensive burden on Embiid while giving Maxey greater freedom to attack opposing defenses without facing constant double teams.
If all three stars remain healthy, the new Big 3 could become one of the NBA’s most balanced offensive units, combining interior dominance, perimeter scoring, defensive versatility, and playoff experience.
Durant’s comments also reflect the respect Brown commands throughout the league. Few players possess his combination of athleticism, scoring ability, and defensive impact, making him an ideal fit alongside Philadelphia’s existing stars.
While the Knicks remain the defending champions and several Eastern Conference rivals have improved significantly, the Sixers have made it clear that they intend to compete immediately rather than wait for future opportunities.
Whether Philadelphia’s new Big 3 ultimately delivers the franchise’s long-awaited championship remains to be seen, but one thing is already evident: the balance of power in the Eastern Conference has shifted, and Kevin Durant believes the rest of the league has every reason to be concerned.
