Kevin Durant believes LeBron James’ decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers on a minimum contract could give the team the connector it needs to manage a roster filled with high-level scorers.
Speaking on Boardroom, Durant called Philadelphia a potential “juggernaut” and pointed to James’ willingness to accept a reduced salary and adapt his role alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and newly acquired Jaylen Brown.
“He understands how to put a winning basketball team together,” Durant said. “He’s been in the league for 24 years. He should know how to understand how to do that. And then he knows how to put himself in position to be successful.”
James enters his 24th NBA season after averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025-26. He shot 51.5% from the field, although his 31.7% mark from three-point range was his lowest since 2015-16.
Philadelphia already had three players averaging at least 17 points last season in Maxey, Embiid and Paul George, but the roster has since changed significantly. The 76ers traded George and two future first-round picks to the Boston Celtics for Jaylen Brown, giving James another elite scorer to fit alongside Maxey and Embiid.
Maxey led Philadelphia with 28.3 points and 6.6 assists per game in 2025-26, while Embiid averaged 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds in 38 appearances. Brown’s arrival adds another high-volume option after he established himself as a two-time All-NBA selection in Boston.
Durant said James’ understanding of changing responsibilities could be particularly important for a group with multiple players capable of carrying the offense.
“They need a connector of guys that kind of somebody that understands like, all right, everybody’s not going to average 25 points on this team,” Durant said. “But it’s going to be nights you going to be the man. It’s going to be nights where you got to be the second guy, but it’s going to be moving parts throughout the whole season. Everybody’s role is going to change. And I think LeBron understands that.”
The Sixers went 45-37 last season, finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference before 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 losing the four games by an average of 22.25 points.
James’ arrival comes after Philadelphia’s offseason overhaul under president of basketball operations Mike Gansey. The Sixers also selected Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. with the No. 22 pick and saw Kelly Oubre Jr., Quentin Grimes and Andre Drummond depart in free agency.
