One of the Boston Celtics' biggest rivals just got a lot better on Friday.
The Philadelphia 76ers have signed LeBron James, adding the NBA's all-time leading scorer to a roster that already traded for Jaylen Brown earlier in the offseason.
It's a massive statement of intent in the Eastern Conference, and it makes the Celtics' goals for the season ahead a bit tougher.
If the 76ers are healthy, they can roll out this starting five:
Tyrese Maxey
VJ Edgecombe
Jaylen Brown
LeBron James
Joel Embiid
Health of that bunch is a big 'if,' but it's certainly a scary foe if it looks like that.
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How does LeBron James signing with 76ers impact the Celtics?
The reality was that the Celtics were going to be chasing a top-four spot in the East next season before and after this news.
The New York Knicks are defending NBA champion, but they lost center Mitchell Robinson to the Celtics, so that swung the power just a bit.
The Miami Heat traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but concerns about their floor spacing are valid, and with them missing on LeBron, they might not be good enough to knock off the Celtics in a long series.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been great in the regular season the past few seasons but not so much in the playoffs. The Celtics can contend with them.
The Detroit Pistons were just the 1-seed, but it's not clear whether Jalen Duren will be back, and if he leaves, that'd reduce their potency.
The reality for the Celtics is that the 76ers become the majorly imposing wild card. Philadelphia could be world-beaters if everything comes together well.
It certainly is tougher for Boston as of Friday afternoon than things may have looked on paper earlier in the week.
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