LeBron James isn’t overlooking Miami after his move to the Philadelphia 76ers. Even with the offseason talk focused on his new team in Philly, he made it clear the Heat have put themselves squarely in the conversation for 2026-27.
Miami’s summer centered on one massive swing: trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The price was steep, but the payoff could be just as large. Team president Pat Riley has reshaped the roster into something far more dangerous than the Heat teams that had been hanging around the Play-In Tournament picture.
The big change is obvious. Bam Adebayo now has a true superstar alongside him, and Riley kept working around that pairing by adding defenders and shooters who can fit the way Miami wants to play. That balance is what has pushed the Heat into the group of teams drawing the most attention before the season.
James said as much on his Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash.
"It’s gonna be damn good... I think defensively they’re gonna be damn good.
You look at Wiggins, Bam, Giannis, Davion Mitchell; they're gonna be damn good. You have Spo there; he knows how to put the pieces in position, in the right place," James said on his Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash.
There are still questions on the other end. The offense and spacing are natural concerns with this kind of roster, but Riley has already addressed part of that by bringing in players who can plug into the system, including Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr.
With the 76ers and Heat both getting plenty of preseason buzz in the East, Miami has plenty of believers. The New York Knicks remain the defending champions and the team to beat, but James clearly sees the Heat as one of the league’s toughest problems entering 2026-27.
In Other News...
LeBron Is Already Changing Something Big Inside The Sixers
LeBron James has already started leaving a mark inside the 76ers locker room, and for Jabari Walker, the biggest surprise has been how quickly that presence has translated into everyday leadership. After Philadelphias 2026 offseason additions, Walker described James as more than just another big name in the room, pointing to the way he carries himself and the respect he draws from teammates.
Walkers takeaway was simple: James has a different kind of influence. He has played alongside elite stars before, but this one stands out for the way it changes the tone around the team and gives Philadelphia a new voice as it tries to build something meaningful. The full effect of that dynamic is still unfolding, but it is already hard to miss inside the organization. [Read more 🡒]
Labaron Philon Jr. Is Giving The Sixers A Reason To Believe
Labaron Philon Jr. has spent the preseason doing exactly what a young guard is supposed to do when a team is looking for answers: make the ball move, keep the offense organized and show he belongs. The rookie has flashed real playmaking upside, and his recent work included a strong outing with 14 points and 7 assists in 25 minutes, the kind of line that catches attention even in October. For Philadelphia, that matters because the backcourt has been searching for someone who can help steady the second unit and ease some of the creation load that falls so heavily on Tyrese Maxey.
Philons path to minutes was never supposed to be this direct, but the Sixers do not have many natural floor generals on the roster, and that reality can accelerate a players timeline fast. Drafted 22nd overall, he is already making a case that his feel for the game can translate sooner than expected, giving the coaching staff something it badly needs: a reserve option who can bring a little tactical stability when the starters sit. The bigger question now is whether that preseason promise holds once the games start counting for real. [Read more 🡒]
Sixers Frontcourt Battle Just Got Murkier Before The Season Opens
The Sixers preseason frontcourt picture has become a little harder to read with Dominick Barlow still sidelined by back soreness and short on chances to build momentum before the games start to matter. He has been limited throughout camp and has yet to appear in a preseason game, which leaves him racing the clock as the exhibition schedule winds down and the regular season approaches.
Barlow is not the only big man whose availability has been in flux, either, which only adds to the uncertainty around Philadelphias depth in the paint. Adem Bona is still working through a foot injury, while Ariel Hukporti has already been hit by an Achilles injury, leaving the Sixers with more questions than answers as they try to sort out the frontcourt rotation. [Read more 🡒]