SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Chase Center on December 25, 2024 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Since the Philadelphia 76ers selected Joel Embiid in the 2014 draft, the franchise has built around the 7-foot center. It has not always gone smoothly, as Embiid has sustained numerous injuries, curtailing the team’s postseason hopes. Now, with the 76ers agreeing to a two-year deal with LeBron James, they do not have to worry as much about whether Embiid will be healthy.
By signing James, the 76ers culminated a busy offseason that puts them as a favorite for the Eastern Conference title and in contention for their first NBA championship since 1983. Two days after the 76ers lost to the New York Knicks in a four-game sweep in the second round of the playoffs in May, managing partner Josh Harris fired Daryl Morey, who had been president of basketball operations for six seasons.
In late May, the 76ers hired Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey as Morey’s replacement, thanks to the input of former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers, who is the president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which owns the 76ers and New Jersey Devils.
At that time, it seemed highly unlikely James would join the 76ers. He even admitted on X on Friday that he thought his career was over after the Los Angeles Lakers lost in the playoffs. But since then, Gansey has remade Philadelphia’s roster.
Early this month, the 76ers acquired All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics for forward Paul George and two draft picks. They also added depth by signing veterans Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons. And they drafted Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr., who averaged 22 points last season and 18.5 points in four NBA summer league games.
Suddenly, the 76ers had a roster that appealed to James, who said he reflected after the season and decided he wanted to continue to play. Two weeks ago, Myers appeared on a podcast hosted by Rich Paul, James’s longtime friend and agent. Myers, who was an agent himself before joining the Warriors, told Paul that the 76ers would be a perfect option if James wanted to win. The pitch worked.
Now, James reunites with Gansey, who grew up around James in Ohio and worked in the Cleveland front office during James’s second stint with the team. And he can play alongside 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, who is also represented by Paul and is a workout partner with James during the offseason.
Suddenly, the 76ers are no longer reliant on Embiid, who missed his first two NBA seasons with injuries and has had several setbacks in recent seasons. After winning the league’s Most Valuable Player award in 2023, Embiid has played in 39, 19 and 38 games the past three seasons. When healthy, he is still among the best players in the sport. He averaged 26.9 points per game last season and had 34 points and 12 rebounds in a Game 7 victory over the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.
Still, all too often and through little fault of his own, Embiid has missed time with injuries and/or illnesses. He hasn’t led the 76ers past the second round of the playoffs, either. But the franchise is now in a much better position to make the conference finals for the first time since 2001 even if Embiid is out or less than 100% healthy.
Brown and Maxey are coming off the best seasons of their careers. Brown averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, all career-highs. He was second-team All-NBA and finished sixth in the MVP voting. Maxey had career-highs in points (28.3) and assists (6.6) and made third team All-NBA. They 76ers also have a potential young star in guard VJ Edgecombe, who averaged 16 points per game and finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting last season.
With James, the 76ers now have arguably the best player of all-time, too. Even if he’s not in his prime, James can still hold his own against anyone. James, who turns 42 on Dec. 30, averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game this past regular season and 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds in 10 playoff games. More than that, he will be a veteran presence in the locker room and help push and motivate his teammates. He’s not coming back to coast or for the money. His two-year, $8 million deal is the minimum for someone with his service, per ESPN.
James already has had a career that matches anyone. He has the most points and games played in NBA regular season and playoff history. He has led the Miami Heat to consecutive titles, helped the Cavaliers win their first championship and spearheaded the Lakers’ title run in 2020. He can now cap it all by becoming the first player to win titles with four franchises and revitalizing another franchise that has become accustomed to postseason heartbreak.
“I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team,” James wrote on X on Friday. “I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.”
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