Veteran NBA swingman LeBron James made a decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers this summer, but the hard work has only just begun. At 41 years old, as a four-time champion, James is fully aware of the steps involved with turning a team into a top-tier title contender, and he knows it isn’t easy. By starting now, the 76ers can get a head start on the process and ensure a smooth start to the upcoming season.
Naturally, it seems LeBron has already put a lot of thought into what his role will look like, and it’s a good sign for the team’s trajectory. According to his agent, Rich Paul, he will likely take on a Draymond Green-type role as a playmaker, glue guy, and locker room leader for Philadelphia. It’s a stark contrast to his previous stints, where he’s either been the leading star or a major focal point on offense.
“I just envision Iverson cuts and things like that, which I think they will bring back into the fold now, because you have optionality,” said Paul on the ‘Game Over’ podcast. “Basically, you’re putting LeBron in a Draymond-type role on that 76ers team.”
For the first time in his career, LeBron won’t need to shoulder a heavy burden. While he had Luka Doncic last season, the Los Angeles Lakers still relied on him to be an active and aggressive scorer to keep them in games, and he answered with averages of 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game on 51.5% shooting from the field. With a team as stacked as the 76ers, he can let his teammates handle the scoring while he makes an impact in smaller, more subtle ways. If nothing else, Rich Paul believes it will bring out the best in young guards Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe, who both played a major role in bringing LeBron to Philly.
“I think Tyrese is probably gonna benefit the most in all ways,” said Paul. “He’s not the youngest, but he’s a perennial All-Star now, and it’s his team. The second-most important factor is V.J. Edgecombe. Because if he embraces it the right way and doesn’t listen to anybody on social media channels, points don’t equate to a deal all the time… Now, he’s gonna be able to become such an efficient player.”
Of course, Jaylen Brown will also have a major part to play. His trade to the 76ers this summer set the offseason in motion, and it’s what ultimately lured James to the team. It could take time for him to find his footing in new surroundings, but Paul noted one area LeBron could help him: public relations.
“Jaylen won’t have to worry about the media; they’ll be coming right to LeBron,” Paul added. “The beauty of playing with LeBron is that you can let him deal with all the bs. But if you want to understand or ask the questions, I’d imagine they’d have lockers next to each other, bus rides, and plane rides. If I’m a player, I’d ask all the questions I can in terms of how I can handle these media things, and how LeBron handled these things. When Jaylen and I spoke, just to make it clear, Jaylen is fully on board with LeBron coming. When you’ve had someone that’s only been at the top, that’s what I call sap from the tree. We’re talking about from 2003-2026; he’s only been at the top. There’s a lot there to benefit from. But Jaylen will also have to walk in his own shoes too.”
Regardless of any initial growing pains, the 76ers should feel confident heading into the new season. From the Cavaliers to the Heat to the Lakers, LeBron has always made a positive impact both on the court and in the locker room. He knows how to adapt to any situation, and there’s little doubt he can make the most of his current circumstances, even if history says it could take time to achieve success.
As long as the Sixers trust in their talent and follow LeBron’s lead, there’s no reason why they can’t challenge the NBA’s most elite and experienced teams. They have all the pieces and the right approach, but the 76ers still need one long stretch of good health before anyone’s ready to start placing bets.
