Five Ways LeBron James Changes the NBA in Philadelphia

Now that those LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers tickets have been cashed, the focus is shifting to the 2026-27 NBA season. From a sports betting perspective, the idea of Philly being legitimate NBA championship contenders no longer sounds so crazy. 

When a franchise lands two former NBA Finals MVPs in the same offseason, the perspective tends to change. Getting Jaylen Brown via a trade with the Boston Celtics helped the 76ers earn a seat at the LeBron James next-team table. 

While we wait to find out whether James signing a two-year, $8M deal with the 76ers results in a championship, it’s hard not to think about what impact this move will have on the other 29 teams. We take a look at five immediate consequences that James signing with Philadelphia will have on the rest of the league. 

Why Did LeBron Pick Philadelphia? 

For those out there still wondering why James picked Philadelphia versus a farewell tour with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the chance to be teammates with Steph Curry, or even going back to South Beach to join Giannis Antetokounmpo, the future first ballet Hall of Famer explained his decision. James said, "I want to join a franchise that kind of shares the same motto as myself and that's practicing championship habits every day, but trusting the process more than anything."

There’s that “trust the process” saying again that has become synonymous with the recent failures of the Philadelphia 76ers.  We’re talking about a franchise that has yet to advance beyond the Eastern Conference semifinals since drafting Joel Embiid.  But this time around seems different thanks to the additions of James and Brown being paired with young stars Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecomb. 

Months before the 76ers traded for Brown and won the King James sweepstakes, BetMGM had Philly listed at +2000 to win the Eastern Conference. That number is now down to +350, making Embiid and company a slight favorite over the defending NBA champion New York Knicks (+360). 

The King James NBA Championship Story 

A common theme regarding James’ career is that he wins wherever he goes. The 76ers are the fourth different franchise that James is trying to win a championship with. This time around, he’s doing it for the veteran minimum of roughly $3.9 million. Here is a look back at how things played out at those previous stops:

What were the Boston Celtics Thinking?

It’s not often that we hear about division rivals making a blockbuster trade, but this is exactly what happened on July 6 when the Boston Celtics acquired nine-time NBA All-Star Paul George and draft compensation for Jaylen Brown.

What many didn’t realize at the time was that Brown was a key piece to the much bigger 76ers puzzle that would help them eventually land James. James and agent Rich Paul likely would’ve never talked with Philadelphia if the Brown trade never happened. 

Brown was the 2024 NBA Finals MVP. His 28.7 points per game ranked fourth among all NBA players last season. George, on the other hand, has played 70 games just once since the 2019-20 season. During his two seasons in Philadelphia, George played a grand total of 78 regular season games. With James and Brown now with the 76ers, the Celtics' path to the Eastern Conference title is much tougher.     

Will The New York Knicks Even Make The NBA Finals?

The New York Knicks finally ended their 53-year NBA championship drought last season, and with the entire starting five back, fans are hoping it could be the start of a Knicks dynasty. Only one team can represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals, and New York not getting there could be another one of the consequences of James signing with Philadelphia. 

Months before the 76ers traded for Brown and won the King James sweepstakes, BetMGM had Philly listed at +2000 to win the Eastern Conference. That number is now down to +350, making Joel Embiid and company a slight favorite over the defending NBA champions (+360). Expect plenty of buzz should these two teams meet on opening night or Christmas Day.  As far as the 2027 NBA championship goes, BetMGM has the 76ers priced at +800 while the Knicks are +900.

No Steph Curry, LeBron James NBA Championship Story  

When James informed the Lakers that he wouldn’t be returning, the idea of teaming with Steph Curry in Golden State seemed like an opportunity that would be too good to pass up. We’re talking about two of the greatest of all time in the same starting lineup. They helped Team USA win the gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Plus, the move would keep James on the West Coast and a short plane ride away from his family.

Draymond Green even turned down his $27.6M player option, so Golden State would have financial flexibility to sign James. Both players are represented by Klutch Sports. With James deciding to play elsewhere, there are questions about whether the aging Warriors still have what it takes to compete with the Western Conference’s elite teams. Since winning the 2022 NBA Finals, the Warriors have not advanced past the second round. This includes getting eliminated in last season’s play-in tournament. 

How Far Will The Miami Heat Go?

The combination of James, Antetokounmpo, and Bam Adebayo, at least on paper, would’ve certainly helped the Miami Heat get back to being one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams along with the Knicks, Cavs, and Celtics. Miami has not enjoyed a deep postseason run since the 2022-23 season when they lost in five games to the Denver Nuggets. Even with two superstar players, many view the Heat roster as one that still has too many holes compared to the stacked Knicks, Sixers, and Cavs. 

Even though there are tax benefits to James going to South Beach, it’s the one franchise he already won back-to-back titles with in 2012 and 2013. Like with Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade, adding King James would’ve formed a new big three, but Philadelphia presents a new challenge.

What If James Closed Out His Career In Cleveland? 

The Cavaliers' path to making it back to the Eastern Conference Finals just got more difficult thanks to Philadelphia’s stacked lineup. Cleveland has not played for the championship since 2018, when they were swept by Golden State. In 2016, however, James helped the Cavs win their first and only title. It took seven games to eliminate the Warriors.

Curry and the Warriors won the next two before James took his talents to Los Angeles. But it’s hard not to think about how things might’ve played out had the Ohio native returned home to team up with James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, and Evan Mobley to chase another title. The scenario would’ve made for the perfect ending to a legendary career, and nobody would’ve questioned the decision.  

Will LeBron James In Philly Actually Work?

Unfortunately, the answer to that question will not come until June. There is the unknown of Embiid being able to stay healthy through an entire season and the NBA Playoffs. Will James’ body be able to handle the toll of another long NBA season as he turns 42 in December? 

Another unknown is whether this new 76ers lineup will be able to share the ball as Brown, James, Maxey, and Embiid all averaged over 20 points per game last season. If Philadelphia ends up with its first NBA championship since the days of Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and Maurice Cheeks, the answer will be a resounding yes.