Jason Kidd doesn’t need much convincing when it comes to LeBron James. Put the four-time champion in Philadelphia, and in Kidd’s eyes, the 76ers are right back in the championship conversation.
That’s the reality now for a team that entered the offseason with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe and Paul George, then reshaped the picture by landing LeBron and Jaylen Brown in place of George. It’s a major swing for any franchise, and it gives Philly a different kind of weight heading into the 2026-27 season.
Kidd, who has known James both as a peer and a coach, pointed straight to the effect LeBron still has on the league even at 41. For Kidd, this isn’t just about name value. It’s about what James has done for years: win, lead and raise the level around him.
The 76ers also don’t look top-heavy. Their roster has depth behind the stars, with Anfernee Simons, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Adem Bona all in position to help in a title push. Add Nick Nurse on the sideline, and Kidd sees a team with the kind of ceiling that can carry real championship talk.
Still, his takeaway kept coming back to one thing: LeBron.
"LeBron going to Philly automatically puts Philly in the talks of winning a championship. They could be the best team in the East.
That’s just him at the age of 42. He still has that power...
Philly has a young backcourt that’s very exciting to watch in Maxey and VJ. I think they’re the team that’s the move," Kidd said to Naveen Ganglani of ALL-STAR Magazine.
The argument is simple enough. James may not have to be the nightly scoring engine anymore, but his track record and presence still change the math.
He’ll turn 42 in the middle of the season, and he’s still chasing his fifth ring. For Kidd, that alone is enough to make Philadelphia a problem.
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Sixers Forward Depth Suddenly Looks Better Than Anyone Expected
The 76ers spent the offseason quietly reshaping their forward group, and one of the more interesting additions was Dean Wade on a four-year deal. Wade comes over from Cleveland with a reputation as a reliable, useful forward who can handle minutes behind a star and keep an offense from bogging down. For a team that has spent plenty of recent seasons trying to patch together depth, the move pointed to a front office trying to make the rotation sturdier from top to bottom.
Dominick Barlow adds another layer to that conversation, because his development gives Philadelphia another name to consider as it maps out the position. Between Wade's arrival and Barlow's growth, the Sixers suddenly have more forward options than expected, and the challenge now is less about finding bodies and more about figuring out which combinations actually hold up when the games matter. [Read more 🡒]
VJ Edgecombe Is Giving The Sixers Another Reason To Dream
VJ Edgecombe has already spent part of his offseason around some of the leagues biggest names, putting in workouts with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis as he prepares for what could be a meaningful role with the 76ers this season. Philadelphia is looking at the young guard as more than just another prospect, with the team envisioning him as a possible fifth option in the starting lineup and a player who could grow into a true cornerstone.
For a Sixers team always searching for the next long-term building block, that kind of development track matters. Edgecombes chance to pick up habits and perspective from established stars gives Philadelphia another layer of optimism, especially with the franchise hoping his early progress translates into real impact once the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
Jason Kidd Just Raised The Stakes For LeBron And The Sixers
Jason Kidds recent comments added another layer to the conversation around Philadelphias offseason, with the Hall of Fame guard putting a premium on the kind of basketball IQ and playmaking that can reshape a team. In his view, players like LeBron James and Nikola Jokic stand out because they do more than score - they see the game in a way that lifts everyone around them, and Kidd said his own style has always leaned closer to James brand of all-around control.
For the Sixers, that kind of endorsement matters because it frames James as more than just another high-profile addition. Kidd also pointed to the ripple effect of James joining Philadelphia, suggesting his presence could push the club into the top tier of the Eastern Conference. The question now is how quickly that vision turns into reality, and whether the Sixers can turn the buzz around James into the kind of sustained edge contenders are built on. [Read more 🡒]