Author: DeAntae Prince

The 76ers’ latest foray into NBA free agency started with a whimper, as was the case for much of the league at large. What was once a sudden rush of signings has become a slow trickle as star players sign mega-extensions rather than hit the open market.

For the Sixers that meant June 30, when teams were allowed to negotiate with upcoming free agents, ended with Dean Wade as their big offseason addition. Then the floodgates opened, as Jaylen Brown was traded to Philly on July 1 and LeBron James, eventually, chose the Sixers on July 24 as the team to potentially close his storied career.

Over the course of mere weeks, Wade went from a surefire starter on a team with playoff aspirations to a key reserve for a franchise with a title-or-bust reality. And he isn’t the only one whose role will shift after the Sixers executed one of the NBA’s flashiest offseasons.

To this point, the focus has been squarely on the Sixers’ star-studded starting lineup of James, Brown, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe. But how has life changed for the Sixers’ new additions and returning role players since James’ signing? Let’s take a closer look.

Dean Wade: Wade will experience the biggest swing from James’ signing. A former Cavaliers forward with connections to president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, Wade signed a four-year, $39 million deal to serve as the Sixers’ starting power forward and defensive closer.

While there is talk of James playing point guard, he will slide into that open power forward spot because of his size and experiencing defending all five positions. That will theoretically relegate Wade to the bench to start and end many games. But James is 41 years old, so he will need to pace himself in the quest for his fifth title. Embiid has also played only 96 games over the last three seasons, so there should be room for Wade to make an impact.

Anfernee Simons: Simons started his career as a score-first complement to Damian Lillard, assuming the role of CJ McCollum in Portland and signing a big four-year, $100 million contract. Trades to Boston and Chicago and an injury entering free agency lowered Simons’ value, making him available on a two-year, $12.3 million deal with a player option, the equivalent of a prove-it deal for a former No. 1 option.

In past seasons, the Sixers have desperately needed scoring punch off the bench. This year, they’ll be searching for more ways to stagger their stars, which could take some opportunities away from players like Simons.

Labaron Philon Jr.: The Sixers’ lone draft pick this season, Philon Jr., was selected at No. 21 when the Sixers fan base was still worried about replacing the production of Jared McCain, who was sent to Oklahoma City in one of the most unpopular moves of Daryl Morey’s six-year tenure in Philly. Philon made good on that expectation to some extent, with the offensive spark plug flashing scoring and ballhandling ability at NBA Summer League that appears set to translate to real production in the 2026-27 season.

Philon will now transition to a more developmental role on a team with title-or-bust expectations. Maxey and Edgecombe will start in the guard spots and Simons will be the first guard off the bench. But while Philon may have to wait to show what he can do, he will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best players in the league.

Dominick Barlow: Fresh off a lost 2024-25 season, the Sixers were searching for ways to get better on the margins while paying max money to Maxey, Embiid, and Paul George. Enter Barlow, whose two-way deal was converted to a standard contract after he emerged as a key contributor at the power forward position. Barlow played in 71 games, including 59 starts, and averaged 7.7 points and 4.8 rebounds in 2025-26.

He will move to a more traditional backup power forward position this season, with James, Wade, and Brown likely playing forward and crowding a position that was once a weakness. Barlow’s rebounding and ability to run the floor will still be an asset, but in much smaller doses.

Justin Edwards: Edwards is another find for Philly, joining the team after going undrafted out of Kentucky in 2024. Edwards, a former star at Imhotep Charter and a Philly native, averaged 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds as a rookie. While his numbers dropped, Edwards proved himself in his second season, taking on tough defensive assignments and key minutes in the Sixers’ first-round playoff win against the Boston Celtics.

Ariel Hukporti: After playing a small role on the New York Knicks’ title team, Hukporti picked the Sixers this summer in search of more opportunity. Embiid’s health issues were well-documented, and so were the struggles of Adem Bona and former Sixer Andre Drummond. Hukporti, 24, will still get a shot to fill the position of backup center, though the Sixers might use fewer traditional lineups than they have in the past. Embiid has vowed that his health has improved and he hopes to play more than 38 games this year.

Adem Bona: The Sixers’ returning backup center is in a similar position to Hukporti. He shared minutes with Drummond last season and showed flashes on defense. But Bona struggled on offense in his second NBA season, often struggling with decision-making and finishing at the rim. Bona, who can be retained on a club option next summer, enters a critical year in his young career.

The Sixers officially announced LeBron James’ signing on Monday, sharing a statement from president of basketball operation Mike Gansey and blitzing social media with images of James’ likeness.

James will wear No. 23 with the Sixers after signing a two-year, $8 million deal on Sunday, the Sixers confirmed on their social media account with an image of his jersey in the team’s locker room.

“There is no doubt LeBron is one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball and there are no words to measure the impact he’ll have on this organization,” Gansey said. “I have had the pleasure of knowing LeBron since high school and have seen the high-level impact he’s produced at every stop of his basketball journey. He is a consummate professional, the ultimate competitor, and a tireless worker.

“But he is also an incredible person with natural leadership traits, a family man, and someone who possesses unwavering commitment to community and those around him. We couldn’t be happier that he is officially here and are excited to welcome him, Savannah, and the James family into our 76ers family.”

James joins the Sixers as one of the most decorated players in NBA history. He’s the NBA’s all-time leader in points (43,440) and minutes played (61,030), a four-time champion and the record holder for All-Star appearances (22) and All-NBA Team selections (21).

James most recently led the Lakers to the second round of the NBA playoffs, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in the regular season and increasing those numbers in the postseason to 23.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. James has career averages of 28.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 7.2 assists over the course of his 23-year career.

“I am thrilled to welcome LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers,” Sixers managing partner Josh Harris said. “One of the greatest players in NBA history and one of the best athletes ever, his accomplishments are iconic: four-time NBA champion, four-time NBA MVP, four-time Finals MVP, three-time Olympic Gold medalist, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, a record 22 All-Star selections, and 21 All-NBA selections.

“I cannot wait to see LeBron alongside Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and our talented roster as we work to deliver a championship for Philly. To LeBron and his family: we are grateful you chose the 76ers, and look forward to this next chapter of your legendary career. Welcome to the 76ers!”

The Sixers’ coronation of James did not end in their official statement as the franchise made several posts on social media. The barrage of messages showed reactions on social media, highlights of James’ offensive prowess and the recreation of a classic meme — the one where James is “Smiling through it all!” — only this time James was wearing a Sixers jersey.

LeBron James is a member of the 76ers and there are a number of obvious benefits that come with that. While he’s not a prototypical score-first player, James is the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. And while James is not a prototypical point guard, he’s one of the more talented passers to ever pick up a basketball. The same applies for his ability to rebound, defend, and think the game.

These are known commodities and the expectation is that James will bring immediate punch for the Sixers all over the stat sheet. Those tangible qualities have been on display throughout James’ 23-year career and they will likely be present in his time with the Sixers after he signed a two-year, $8 million contract.

But the intangibles are what makes James great. He can elevate teammates, serve as a strategist, and demand greatness from every player on the roster. At 41 years old, James is past his physical prime and might not dominate games at the same level he once did. But that doesn’t mean he won’t bring a host of underrated benefits to a Sixers roster chock full of talent. We took a look at five of them.

Leadership

This is typically one of James’ biggest assets. The Sixers are technically a veteran team, with Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid all boasting ample postseason experience. But remember these Sixers haven’t won a title since 1983 and haven’t advanced past the second round since 2001. Of course, they look great on paper, but it will take a lot of hard work and hard conversations to mesh four ball-dominant scorers and a rookie hoping to make a second-year leap in VJ Edgecombe.

This is where James’ ability to keep the main thing the main thing, as Jalen Hurts would say, comes into play. James steered and steadied the ship with bigger personalities and more dysfunctional rosters. After successfully leading the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat to titles, James will now have a chance to become the first player to win a title with four franchises.

Late-game strategy

You’ve heard the stories about David Blatt. A rookie coach still soaking up the NBA and American basketball culture, Blatt made the mistake of drawing up a play for J.R. Smith on the 2015 Cavaliers. James famously erased the play, called his own number, and sank a baseline dagger to win Game 4 of their second-round series against the Chicago Bulls.

James is famously unselfish and has called the number of other players with the game on the line as well. Former Cavs teammates turned media members like Iman Shumpert and Richard Jefferson have touted James’ ability to prepare his teammates and predict moments when he will need them.

And this is also where the Sixers have lacked direction. Look back at their past playoff losses and you’ll see that they have hung tight with some of the league’s best franchises. Prior to this year’s blowout loss to the New York Knicks, they played them close in the opening round of the 2023-24 playoffs. The same goes for the Celtics, Heat, and Hawks in the three years before that. And then the Raptors defeated the Sixers on Kawhi Leonard’s four-bounce buzzer-beater en route to their 2019 title.

In each of those losses, execution in the closing moments played a large part in deciding the winner of the series. Whether it was Ben Simmons’ ill-timed pass against the Hawks in 2021 or Jayson Tatum’s offensive outburst in 2023, the Sixers found ways to lose. James came to Philly to win a title and he’ll do what he can to help his new team avoid the mental meltdowns that have defined this franchise for the last decade.

Playmaking

James is one of the best passers to ever pick up a basketball. That much was clear when we watched him as a youngster at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. While James is the leading scorer in Ohio high school basketball history, several of James’ most famous highlights as a prep star were passes, which isn’t typical for stars on that level. He’s only sharpened that skill over the last 20 years.

Few teams could use that mastery more than the Sixers. Edgecombe is learning how to set the table on offense. Maxey is still at his best as a score-first guard. He was fifth in scoring last season at 28.3 points per game. Brown was right above him at 28.7 points. In his last healthy season, Embiid averaged 33.1 points and played 66 games in 2022-23, and his dominance is better suited in the paint and at the free throw line extended. James will allow them all to spend more time off the ball to do what they do best.

Joel Embiid insurance

Embiid has played more than 50 games only six times in his career. This is year No. 10. The Sixers’ title hopes have always come with one large caveat: Can Embiid stay healthy? The answer was no for the past three seasons, as Embiid’s availability was complicated by chronic knee injuries and bouts with Bell’s palsy and appendicitis.

That reality was the source of the Sixers’ moves to sign Paul George, then trade George for Brown. Now the grouping of James, Brown, Maxey, and Edgecombe allows the Sixers to finally enter the season with real championship expectations, whether Embiid’s body holds up or not. To his credit, Embiid has fought to play through every injury. He’s also in the middle of his first healthy summer in quite some time. That’s a good start.

VJ Edgecombe’s maturation

Billed as an uber-athletic defensive specialist, Edgecombe was expected to be a project last season. Then coach Nick Nurse immediately placed Edgecombe in the Sixers starting lineup. Edgecombe stepped up and served as the Sixers’ secondary offensive option when injury and suspension kept Embiid and George sidelined.

As a result, Edgecombe averaged 35 minutes and trailed only Maxey, who led the NBA at 38. Edgecombe added 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, including a historic 34-point debut against the Boston Celtics. Edgecombe scored 14 points in the first quarter of that game and broke James’ previous record of 12.

As the season wore on, Edgecombe benefited from the tutelage of George, Maxey, Kyle Lowry, and more. He soaked up that information and applied it in real time, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting. Edgecombe arrived ahead of schedule and took the Sixers’ focus from their three-star system to the young backcourt of the future. Now, after breaking James’ record, Edgecombe will have the opportunity to learn directly from the NBA legend and build on his breakout rookie season.