Colin Cowherd sees LeBron James’ move to the Philadelphia 76ers through the same lens as Tom Brady’s decision to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On his “The Herd” show, Cowherd argued that James’ late-career switch is about fit, not desperation. “This move by LeBron James feels like Tom Brady to Tampa,” Cowherd said.
“This is not KD (Kevin Durant) to the Warriors. The 76ers haven't won an Eastern Conference championship in like 25 years.
I think only the Hornets and the Wizards have had longer droughts. This is not ring chasing.
It's Tampa Brady.
"Brady's like (in 2020), 'Okay, I've got a defensive head coach. We don't draft receivers well.
I need wide receivers, a coach, head coach with an offensive sensibility. Maybe I go to a little weaker division so I can get stock stack some wins.
You know, in my final couple years.' So, Brady wants to go somewhere where he can stack wins, right?
A little easier lift. Well, LeBron, similarly, Brady needed wide receivers, right?
He needed explosive players on the perimeter.
"They didn't have that in New England. He needed an offensive coach.
Okay. Well, what does LeBron need?
He doesn't need old James Harden. He doesn't need Donovan Mitchell, right?
Guys that don't defend anymore. LeBron's smart, high IQ, EQ.
He needs young, two-way players, athletic, twitchy, explosive.
James announced Thursday that he will sign with Philadelphia after leaving the LA Lakers earlier this offseason. The reported deal is for two years and $7.95 million, and he’ll be in his 24th NBA season in 2026-27.
Brady made his own move in 2020 after 20 seasons and six Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots. He spent three years in Tampa Bay and won a Super Bowl in his first season there.
James already has four NBA championships, with titles coming with the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Lakers. The question now is whether he can add a fifth with the 76ers.
In Other News...
Raymond James Lands A Massive College Football Showcase For Tampa
The annual Georgia-Florida rivalry game is headed for a temporary change of scenery, and Tampa is getting a rare turn in the spotlight. With EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville set for renovations, the matchup will move away from its longtime home, giving one of college footballs marquee neutral-site games a different backdrop for the next couple of seasons.
The 2026 edition is expected to land in Atlanta before the series shifts to Raymond James Stadium in 2027, bringing a major showcase to the Buccaneers building. For a game that has long been one of the sports biggest destination events, the stop in Tampa offers a fresh stage while Jacksonville gets its stadium work done. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Just Got An Unexpected Opening In The NFC South
The early tone of the NFC South has already tilted a little before Tampa Bay has even fully settled into camp. Carolina is dealing with a growing list of health concerns as practices get underway, while the Buccaneers have not reported injuries and are still waiting to ramp up, giving them a cleaner runway than the team that has spent the summer trying to sort through setbacks.
For a division race that often comes down to who survives the grind, that matters. Tampa Bay is trying to build on last season and take back control of the South, and the opening weeks now look like a chance to separate before the standings even start to take shape. Whether that edge lasts is another question, but it is the kind of early break a contender notices. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers May Have One More Move To Fix Their Biggest Weak Spot
Tampa Bay has already done plenty of work to reshape its linebacker room for 2026, bringing in Alex Anzalone and using the draft to add Josiah Trotter. Even with those moves, the Buccaneers still look like a team that could use one more veteran presence at the position, especially after spending the offseason trying to shore up what had become a clear weak spot.
One name now floating into that conversation is a Miami linebacker who fits the kind of role Tampa Bay could still use, particularly if the room remains crowded in South Florida. No deal has been confirmed, but the logic is easy to see from the Buccaneers' side: an experienced defender with coverage ability could give them depth, insurance and a little more certainty if the younger pieces need time to settle in. [Read more 🡒]