The new-look Philadelphia 76ers have already drawn a strong reaction from Kevin Durant, and he isn’t shy about where he thinks they belong in the league’s pecking order.
Philadelphia’s offseason makeover was dramatic, with Paul George and future draft picks being turned into Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and Anfernee Simons. That kind of overhaul would make any roster look dangerous on paper, and Durant believes this group has the firepower to stay in the contender conversation for years.
“The last time they put three 20-point scorers on a team, they said it was unfair, which was the [Warriors] team I was on,” Durant told ESPN’s Ben Golliver. “[The 76ers] have got four 25-point scorers on this team.
So, hell yeah, I think they’re going to be a contender. They’re going to be a fun team to watch.
It’s going to be League Pass-worthy.”
Durant also weighed in on LeBron’s free agency, which was the biggest storyline of the summer. By the time the decision was made, only a small circle knew what was coming, and Durant said he was completely in the dark.
“I didn’t know at all,” Durant said on the decision. “LeBron is stealth like that.
I know there’s a lot of noise around him, but you never know what’s on his mind. I’m happy for him.
It’s a great decision for him to go to a team that has a good chance to win. Philly is a great fan base, a great market, and it’s great for the league.
There were so many eyes that were tuned into his decision.”
Durant has lived through plenty of high-profile team changes himself, so the sight of LeBron landing in Philadelphia likely hit close to home. He’s changed teams multiple times in free agency, and he knows exactly how much attention comes with joining a loaded roster.
The Sixers, though, are not simply plugging in stars and calling it a day. They still have to sort through a wave of changes, and that process will take time. The next few months before training camp will matter as they try to build chemistry and settle into a workable rhythm.
Even with the adjustment period ahead, the ingredients are obvious. Tyrese Maxey, V.J.
Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid give Philadelphia what Durant sees as the league’s most talented core, and LeBron’s presence should only raise the ceiling. The hope is that he can operate in more of a playmaker role, helping teammates and making the offense easier to run.
Durant is already treating Philadelphia as a team in the title mix next season. And while he’ll be focused on Houston, he’ll still have an eye on how this experiment unfolds in Philadelphia.
In Other News...
Warriors Future May Hinge On One Star Move They Still Need
As Stephen Currys career moves deeper into its final chapters, the Warriors are already thinking about the next big swing that could keep the franchise in the conversation once his window closes. Their roster has been tied to a larger plan for years, and one name keeps surfacing in that vision: Anthony Davis, a player Golden State believes could change the teams appeal far beyond his own production.
The logic is simple enough from the Warriors side. Landing Davis would not just upgrade the roster, it could help position Golden State as a more realistic destination for star free agents in the 2027 offseason, when names like Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Brandon Ingram could be in play. Golden State already tried to work out a trade for Davis and ran into resistance from the Washington Wizards, but the interest has not gone away, and the team is still weighing whether to keep pushing there or turn to other avenues. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Just Ran Into The Jonathan Kuminga Debate Warriors Fans Know Too Well
Jonathan Kumingas free-agency limbo has become one of those familiar Warriors talking points that refuses to go away. The former Golden State forward is still unsigned, but his name keeps surfacing around the league, with Minnesota among the teams showing interest after seeing what he can do when given a bigger runway.
For Warriors fans, the Timberwolves involvement only adds another layer to a debate that already felt familiar during the spring. Kumingas strong 2025 playoff showing came when Stephen Curry was injured, which made his value harder to miss, but the road to a deal is still complicated by Minnesotas financial constraints and competition from other suitors like the Lakers and Cavaliers. [Read more 🡒]
Draymond Green Fires Back At Josh Hart Over Brunson Deal
Draymond Green took to social media to push back on Josh Hart after Hart weighed in on Greens earlier comments about Jalen Brunsons contract decision. The exchange added another layer to a conversation that has already drifted well beyond one players finances, especially because Green had been clear that he did not see the situations as comparable and pointed to the Warriors existing contracts as part of why he accepted less money.
Harts point was more about keeping those financial choices private, but the reality for marquee players is that very little stays private once a deal like Brunsons becomes public. For the Warriors, it is another reminder that Green remains willing to defend his view loudly, and that even a contract discussion can turn into a broader argument about loyalty, flexibility and how stars are judged. [Read more 🡒]