Kevin Durant believes LeBron James’ decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers on a minimal contract might give the crew the connector it must handle a roster stuffed with high-level scorers.
Talking on Boardroom, Durant referred to as Philadelphia a possible “juggernaut” and pointed to James’ willingness to simply accept a decreased wage and adapt his position alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and newly acquired Jaylen Brown.
“He understands put a profitable basketball crew collectively,” Durant stated. “He’s been within the league for twenty-four years. He ought to know perceive how to do this. After which he is aware of put himself in place to achieve success.”
James enters his twenty fourth NBA season after averaging 20.9 factors, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 60 video games for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025-26. He shot 51.5% from the sector, though his 31.7% mark from three-point vary was his lowest since 2015-16.
Philadelphia already had three gamers averaging not less than 17 factors final season in Maxey, Embiid and Paul George, however the roster has since modified considerably. The 76ers traded George and two future first-round picks to the Boston Celtics for Jaylen Brown, giving James one other elite scorer to suit alongside Maxey and Embiid.
Maxey led Philadelphia with 28.3 factors and 6.6 assists per sport in 2025-26, whereas Embiid averaged 26.9 factors and seven.7 rebounds in 38 appearances. Brown’s arrival provides one other high-volume possibility after he established himself as a two-time All-NBA choice in Boston.
Durant stated James’ understanding of fixing duties could possibly be notably necessary for a bunch with a number of gamers able to carrying the offense.
“They want a connector of men that form of any person that understands like, all proper, all people’s not going to common 25 factors on this crew,” Durant stated. “However it’s going to be nights you going to be the person. It’s going to be nights the place you bought to be the second man, nevertheless it’s going to be shifting elements all through the entire season. All people’s position goes to vary. And I feel LeBron understands that.”
The Sixers went 45-37 final season, ending seventh within the Japanese Convention earlier than beating Boston in seven games in the first round. Their postseason ended with a 4-0 sweep against the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks, with Philadelphia shedding the 4 video games by a mean of twenty-two.25 factors.
James’ arrival comes after Philadelphia’s offseason overhaul beneath president of basketball operations Mike Gansey. The Sixers additionally chosen Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. with the No. 22 choose and noticed Kelly Oubre Jr., Quentin Grimes and Andre Drummond depart in free company.
