The Philadelphia 76ers have made the signing of the decade by landing LeBron James for a two-year veteran’s minimum to complete a fierce squad.
James signed a two-year, $8 million contract to join the 76ers after the franchise already made a blockbuster offseason move by trading Paul George for Jaylen Brown.
With James joining the 76ers, the team fills its biggest weakness in their starting lineup to create arguably the best starting five in the NBA.
76ers with LeBron James have five elite players in starting roles
The 76ers will keep faith in the backcourt that led them to upset the Boston Celtics from a 3-1 series deficit in the first round, as point guard Tyrese Maxey and shooting guard V.J. Edgecombe have proven their utility.
Maxey averaged 28.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists as the NBA’s minutes leader last season, while Edgecombe was a Rookie of the Year finalist after averaging 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals.
New addition Jaylen Brown will likely slot into the open small forward position after the departure of wings like Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. Brown averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in an MVP-caliber season for the Celtics last season.
LeBron has already acclimatized himself to being a third option, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists last season with the Lakers as their starting power forward. With him joining, he likely takes this spot away from other summer signing, Dean Wade.
Joel Embiid should be the team’s starting center, provided he can be healthy. He averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in a mixed season last year, but this is a former MVP we’re talking about.
The team also has great bench pieces such as the newly-signed Wade alongside guard Anfernee Simons and rookie Labaron Philon Jr, but this starting five will be almost impossible to beat.
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