LeBron James officially signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, joining a revamped roster featuring Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey. The move marks James' fourth NBA team, following stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers.
James, a four-time NBA champion and 2020 Finals MVP with the Lakers, will attempt to win his first title with the 76ers in a season where the team enters as a top Eastern Conference contender. The 76ers bolstered their lineup this offseason by acquiring Brown from the Boston Celtics, who won the 2024 NBA championship with him as Finals MVP.
NBA legends offer contrasting perspectives on James' legacy and the 76ers' championship potential. Shaquille O'Neal, a former Lakers teammate of James, acknowledged his contributions to Los Angeles but placed him below franchise icons Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. "Top floor belongs to Magic, Kobe, and Kareem," O'Neal stated. "I’m going to put Kareem. The second floor is me and those other guys. LeBron will probably always be under those guys, but that doesn't take away from what he’s done in the game."
Tracy McGrady, meanwhile, identified Joel Embiid as the 76ers' "X factor" for the upcoming season. "If he's healthy, but we don't know how many times we're gonna have him available," McGrady said on a podcast. "If that five is healthy, I don't give a damn what they got on their bench." Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP, has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, playing fewer than half of the 76ers' games in three of the past four years.
The 76ers have reached the Eastern Conference Finals in each of the past two seasons but fell short both times. With James' addition, the team now features two All-Stars in its starting lineup—James and Embiid—alongside Brown and Maxey. The 76ers' ability to stay healthy and maximize their new star power will determine whether they can overcome their recent playoff shortcomings.
James, entering his 24th NBA season, will aim to add to his legacy while helping Philadelphia end a 41-year championship drought dating back to 1983.