There might not be a more intriguing new-look team in the NBA this season than the Philadelphia 76ers.
It's not just the infusion of talent, but the rarity of the circumstances to acquire it that makes the Sixers so fascinating.
In any other year, signing forward Dean Wade to a four-year, $39 million contract and guard Anfernee Simons to a two-year, $12.3 million deal could be seen as a successful summer for a team coming off a second-round playoff appearance.
But then to trade for five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown two years after he led the Boston Celtics to the championship, making him just one of seven players in league history to change teams within two years of being named Finals MVP, made it an extraordinary offseason.
And adding LeBron James on a veteran's minimum contract made it potentially transformational.
With the Sixers playing their first preseason game Monday against the defending-champion New York Knicks, here are five key moments that have shaped their first week in training camp.
Monday, Sept. 28: four on the floor... and a fifth in the group chat
Hours before media day opened with players posing for portraits and answering questions from local media members, the Sixers' four stars gathered on the practice floor.
They changed into their full uniforms later to be ready for photos. Their first order of business was a workout, not only to talk about, but demonstrate, how they can help one another.
All four had varying experience playing together, with Brown recently joining James and Tyrese Maxey for a few of their customary summer workouts in Los Angeles, and James playing with Joel Embiid on Team USA in 2024. But these first actions on the floor were tangible examples of the sacrifices this group has said it is willing to make for this season to be a success.
"Worked on getting to know each other," one team source told ESPN. "Camaraderie, rhythm, cadence and playing with each other."
With 36 All-Star appearances among them, each player has a game that commands extra attention from opposing defenses.