By Arthur Hill | at July 27, 2026 10:06 am
Sources close to LeBron James tell Ramona Shelburne of ESPN that has long recognized **Joel Embiid**‘s obvious talent and basketball IQ, but has been wary of the Sixers center’s lingering health issues. Embiid was one of the players heavily involved in recruiting James to Philadelphia, and has been making public appeals for him to join the team since 2014, so he was finally able to deliver a convincing pitch to the four-time MVP.
James’ relationship with Embiid was one of several factors that played into the decision he announced last Friday, according to Shelburne. She also cites his “comfort level” with executive Bob Myers and new general manager Mike Gansey, along with the trust that Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul has built up over the years with owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer.
Still, it’s Embiid’s availability that will likely determine how successful the new superteam in Philadelphia turns out to be. He has been limited to a combined 57 games over the past two regular seasons and missed part of both of the team’s playoff series this year, although Shelburne notes that was because of the effects of emergency appendicitis surgery rather than the ongoing issues with his knees.
With Andre Drummond leaving for New York in free agency, the Sixers don’t have an experienced backup center on their roster, so it’s important that Embiid is able to handle at least a moderate workload.
“It all comes down to Joel,” one league source told Shelburne. *“If it’s Tyrese (Maxey), VJ (Edgecombe), Jaylen Brown, LeBron and Adem Bona, that’s not a championship team. But if it’s those four guys and Joel, that’s a championship team. That’s not to say it’s Joel’s fault if it doesn’t go well. He might get blamed anyway. But more that he can be the reason they win — and LeBron can really help him.”*
There’s more from Philadelphia:
Although he’s now the biggest name on the Sixers’ roster, James may wind up playing more of a complementary role like he did last season with the Lakers, Shelburne adds. An Eastern Conference executive points out that none of the other projected starters has a history of setting screens and doing the “dirty work” that’s necessary to compete for a title. Shelburne also talks to two Sixers sources who express concern that the addition of so much star power might affect Edgecombe’s growth by taking the ball out of his hands, but a rival coach says playing with James and Brown will be a valuable learning experience for the second-year guard and he’ll still get opportunities because “it’s not like this team is going to stay healthy all year.”
The chance to live in New York City and commute to Philadelphia played a role in James choosing the Sixers, a source tells Marc Stein of The Stein Line (subscription required). Paul stated early in free agency that joining the Knicks wasn’t a consideration after they won the title, but this move gives James an opportunity to have residences in both cities if he desires.
Adam Aaronson of The Philly Voice examines five ways that James will affect the organization, including his value in attracting other players. Kentavious Caldwell-Popeagreed to a buyout with Memphis over the weekend, with plans to sign with Philadelphia once he clears waivers.
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