Green was asked to name the most impactful signing on the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” and went with James without much hesitation. “I think LeBron,” Green said. “Just with his championship experience, his leadership on a team that hasn’t been able to get over the hump, I think that makes it a very impactful and interesting signing for Philly.”

James took forever to make his free-agency decision and ultimately signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers with a player option for the second year. Even if you disagree that this is the most impactful signing, this is the best-value contract in the NBA.

LeBron James’ production and impact for the 76ers

Even at 41 years old, James maintains elite-level production. James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025-26. The 41-year-old remains an incredibly impactful player.

As Green mentioned, James, a four-time NBA champion, is also going to a franchise that hasn’t tasted success for a very long time. The 76ers won their last NBA title in 1983, and last made the NBA Finals in 2001. That was also the last time the franchise reached the Eastern Conference Finals.

Postseason heartbreak has been the norm for the 76ers, and James believes he can help make the squad a championship team. The 22-time All-Star will have plenty of help, of course.

James is joining forces with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and another new addition in Jaylen Brown. With four All-Stars on its roster, the 76ers squad is most certainly a superteam. Brown also has championship pedigree, having won it all with the Boston Celtics in 2024. There is a lot to like with the 76ers, and if the group clicks, the rest of the NBA is in trouble.

The resulting fan backlash on social media has reached a fever pitch, particularly after the Warriors officially announced the low-profile offseason signings of role players Georges Niang and Brandon Williams.

Dismayed supporters flooded online forums to vent their frustration, with fans posting comments like “Steph should do himself a favor and request a trade,” “I thought we were landing a superstar,” and “This front office is becoming a major problem.” Dub Nation remains deeply skeptical about how the roster will fare in the upcoming campaign.

Meanwhile, Thompson has already publicly expressed his excitement about teaming up with Giannis in South Beach, and the 76ers are finalizing logistics for LeBron‘s upcoming introductory press conference in Philadelphia.

A passive offseason leaves Golden State vulnerable

What hurts most for the fanbase is Golden State’s striking inertia. With Jimmy Butler still rehabbing from injury, Draymond Green departing the franchise, and Stephen Curry’s long-term future shrouded in uncertainty, the Warriors risk tumbling into NBA irrelevance before training camp even opens.

While rival contenders aggressively re-tooled through high-profile trades and free agency, Golden State’s primary responses to their roster exodus were Niang (via the Atlanta Hawks) and Williams (via the Dallas Mavericks).

At this stage, faithful supporters are no longer expecting a return to the dynasty years. Instead, they are simply hoping this patchwork group can stay competitive enough to scramble into the Western Conference playoff picture.

While the Sixers do not have a roster spot to make further additions at this time, the franchise is reportedly keeping its options open. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the 76ers could be eyeing Kevin Love as a potential option down the line.

“Love’s agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management, has been in touch with the Philadelphia 76ers‘ front office since James picked Philadelphia, sources told ESPN,” McMenamin reported. “Though the 6-foot-10 Love and James have remained close since teaming up for four seasons with the Cavaliers and even vacationed extensively together this summer, that bond doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a roster spot for the former five-time All-Star by training camp.”

The Love and LeBron partnership

Love and LeBron have remained close after spending four years together with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The duo participated in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2016 championship reunion tour this summer.

LeBron and Love played together in Cleveland from 2014 to 2018, reaching four consecutive Finals together. Their biggest achievement came in 2016, when the Cavaliers overcame a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors to capture their first title.

During their four-year run together from 2014 to 2018, Love averaged 17.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Love ultimately played nine seasons in Cleveland from 2014 until he was traded in the middle of the 2022-23 season. Across nine seasons as a Cavalier, Love averaged 15.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.

Love’s recent performance

Love averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game last NBA season while shooting 39.7% from the field and 37.3% from the three-point range. At 38 years old, he is obviously no longer the All-Star he once was, but he can still stretch the floor and provide valuable veteran leadership in a limited capacity.

While receiving his NBA Social Justice Champion Award, Adebayo was asked to name his five greatest NBA players of all time. His list included Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, and Tim Duncan.

Despite LeBron’s four championships, four MVP awards, four Finals MVPs, and status as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Adebayo did not include him in his list.

A decision based on Adebayo’s personal preferences

Instead, it may simply reflect his own basketball preferences and the players who have influenced him the most. Kobe Bryant’s inclusion was hardly surprising. Like many NBA players of his generation, Kobe was one of Adebayo’s childhood idols, and his work ethic and Mamba Mentality continue to inspire countless players.

Michael Jordan remains the gold standard for many NBA fans and analysts. His six championships, six Finals MVPs, and unmatched 6-0 Finals record have made him the leading GOAT candidate for many.

Stephen Curry revolutionized basketball with his shooting over the past decade. Tim Duncan’s five championships and sustained excellence over nearly two decades have made him arguably the greatest power forward in NBA history. Kevin Durant’s addition will shock many fans, but Adebayo has seen Durant’s unmatched scoring ability firsthand.

LeBron’s absence raises questions

Leaving LeBron James off the list is certain to spark debate. LeBron owns the greatest resume in basketball history. Along with being the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, he ranks fourth on the league’s all-time assists list.

He has won championships with three different franchises and now hopes to become the first player in NBA history to win titles with four different teams after joining the Philadelphia 76ers. Entering his 24th NBA season, LeBron also remains one of the league’s elite players after averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists for the Los Angeles Lakers last season.

In the end, Bam Adebayo still has nothing but love and respect for LeBron James as he takes his talents elsewhere. Speaking to reporters at his camp, Adebayo made it clear that everything is good between them.

“I’m cool with Bron,” Adebayo told reporters. “I consider Bron like a brother, honestly. We’ve been Olympic teammates, but even before that, we’ve always had down-to-earth conversations. I’m happy for him. You want what’s best for somebody. That’s really how you go from there.”

The Miami Heat were notably in the mix among several teams strongly pursuing LeBron James’ big-time unrestricted free agency this summer. Yet in the end, the team failed in its hunt as the four-time NBA MVP chose the Philadelphia 76ers for the next stop of his illustrious career.

James to compete against Heat in the East

James inked an astounding two-year, $8 million veteran’s minimum contract with the 76ers, giving himself the best possible chance to win his fifth ring by joining a stacked Philadelphia roster headlined by Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, and Jaylen Brown.

After James informed the Los Angeles Lakers he will not return this offseason, the Heat strongly fantasized about a potential reunion with the superstar, who led the franchise to back-to-back NBA titles through four consecutive NBA Finals appearances last decade.

Upon landing Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Heat strongly sought to reconnect with James behind the efforts of Pat Riley. But as things turned out, the team will find itself facing James as another key opponent from its conference rival 76ers, as anticipation cannot get any higher for the upcoming NBA season.

Adebayo and Giannis pursue dominance

Adebayo was also asked about his early conversations with Giannis Antetokounmpo. “We’re ready to get to work,” Adebayo said. “The goal is to win a championship. We have a like-minded focus. Those first conversations are really about winning.”

Antetokounmpo and Adebayo were both clearly excited at the prospect of teaming up with James, and the Heat had built their summer around that possibility. What the squad has instead is a Giannis-Adebayo frontcourt that, on paper, is the most physically dominant pairing in the Eastern Conference, alongside a roster with enough remaining flexibility to add veterans who fit.

Golden State still has a few roster spots available and could continue making smaller additions before the season begins. The Warriors could also look to add a new face, with Sports Illustrated’s Joey Akeley believing Dalen Terry could be an intriguing option.

“The 76ers just waived Terry to help make room for LeBron James and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. That gives the Warriors an opportunity to take a flier on a 24-year-old wing with size (6’6″) and athleticism. If the Dubs want to fill out the roster with a more experienced wing than Lajae Jones, Terry is a decent option,” Akeley wrote.

The Warriors as an ideal landing spot

Terry is a young player seeking an opportunity, and Golden State could give him a chance to prove himself. He found himself on the outside looking in after Philadelphia needed roster space to add James and Caldwell-Pope.

Terry has earned $15 million throughout his young NBA career. The Warriors are simply looking to add depth, and taking a chance on a young player with something to prove could be the right move for Golden State.

A lack of major moves for Golden State

The Warriors have remained in their comfort zone, making no groundbreaking moves. Essentially, the franchise has opted to re-sign players already in its ranks with new contracts, bringing back Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II, and Charles Bassey.

Golden State Warriors‘ sole acquisition has been Yaxel Lendenborg, the No. 11 overall pick—making for an NBA offseason that has truly fallen short of expectations.

O’Neal made some interesting comments when that report was brought up on the latest episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq. During the conversation, Adam Lefkoe mentioned hearing about the possibility of LeBron joining Cleveland and bringing Kyrie Irving along, but Shaq offered a blunt response.

“Kyrie ain’t letting that happen,” O’Neal said. Iman Shumpert, who played with both stars on the Cavaliers and was present on the podcast, pointed out that Irving could not really have stopped this from happening, as the Mavericks could trade him without his consent. The 34-year-old does not have a no-trade clause that would allow him to control where he goes.

Shaq’s point

O’Neal’s primary point, though, is that Irving does not want to team up with James again. That is quite interesting. Irving and James previously had been teammates on the Cavaliers from 2014 to 2017. They won a championship together in 2016 by stunningly overturning a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors would win the rematch against the Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals, and that was the last time we saw the duo together. Irving asked out during the 2017 offseason, reportedly because he no longer wanted to play a secondary role behind James. The Cavaliers would then trade him to the Boston Celtics to end what had been an incredibly successful partnership.

The reason why a James-Irving reunion on the Cavaliers was highly unlikely was that the Mavericks did not want to trade him. The nine-time All-Star, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, was not going to push for a move, either, as he is comfortable with his situation.

Past rumors of Irving pursuing James

It should not be forgotten that Irving reportedly pushed for the Mavericks to acquire James in 2023. He was even said to have tried to persuade his former teammate to join him in Dallas. It was not to be, though.

In Durant’s view, the 76ers as currently constructed are almost just as stacked as that Warriors team, and he will not make the mistake of underestimating their potential—with good reason, considering the starting five Philadelphia features.

“The last time they put three 20-point scorers on a team, they said it was unfair, which was the [Warriors] team I was on,” Durant told ESPN’s Ben Golliver. “[The 76ers] have got four 25-point scorers on this team. So, hell yeah, I think they’re going to be a contender. They’re going to be a fun team to watch. It’s going to be League Pass-worthy.”

Durant on LeBron’s situation

LeBron‘s free agency has been the biggest story of the summer, and he took special care not to let anyone know which way he was leaning. Only a select few people were involved in the process, and very few predicted he would end up in Philly.

“I didn’t know at all,” Durant said regarding the decision. “LeBron is stealth like that. I know there’s a lot of noise around him, but you never know what’s on his mind. I’m happy for him. It’s a great decision for him to go to a team that has a good chance to win. Philly is a great fan base, a great market, and it’s great for the league. There were so many eyes that were tuned into his decision.”

As far as their chances of success, there is a reason LeBron chose the Sixers out of all the other teams. With Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid, they have the most talented core in the NBA, and the King will only enhance their performance on the court. The key to making it work, among other factors, will be using LeBron in a playmaker role to set up teammates and simplify the offense.

This approach mirrors what Durant accomplished upon his arrival with the Warriors, joining a roster that featured Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala—all in their prime—alongside an unmatched depth chart in the NBA.

The 76ers’ potential lineup with LeBron James is a scary one, but it left all NBA fans with the desire to see James and Steph Curry playing together. As for now, the Warriors will focus on defense, as that’s Gary Payton II’s specialty. Payton signed a one-year, $3.9 million deal.

Reports also stated that Curry’s Warriors were looking to get Kevin Durant. Hence, its reunion season for the Golden State team. The franchise knows they need to capitalize on Curry’s last few years atop the NBA to look for a new ring.

Warriors’ potential lineup with Gary Payton II?

It’s unlikely that Payton comes in and starts for the Warriors. The lineup looks like a more offense-oriented lineup. However, Payton could be a great addition when needing to close a game or for the second team to give Steph Curry a rest. Having said that, he could slide in as a small forward when playing small ball.

• PG – Steph Curry
• SG – Brandin Podziemski
• SF – Draymond Green
• PF – Kristaps Porzingis
• C – Al Horford

Are the Warriors doing a wise thing?

Despite missing the playoffs during the last NBA season, the Warriors are re-signing plenty of names. Golden State re-signed Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II this summer and will try to run it back.

During an appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show, Iverson declared Jordan as the GOAT over James, while acknowledging that fans ultimately determine their own personal consensus on who stands as the best player of all time in the NBA.

“The way I look at it, Michael is always going to be the GOAT to me … and LeBron to me, I feel like if you go in the dictionary and you look up ‘basketball player,’ you’ll see LeBron James,” Iverson said. “And the whole GOAT thing to me I think a lot of times it gets out of hand because I think a lot of times people will take away from only player and what they did, to boost up the other player.”

“That’s not what you do. I feel like a lot of times, people get caught up in the whole GOAT thing, but your GOAT is your GOAT. You have your opinion to name anyone your GOAT if you want to … you’re not wrong by saying anyone’s your GOAT. I had my fans say I’m the GOAT all the time. I don’t agree with them because I think it’s Mike.”

Allen Iverson’s explanation

A fascinating aspect of Iverson‘s response is acknowledging that his own fans have called him the GOAT. However, to him, the distinction belongs to Jordan, emphasizing that every fan holds their own answer for their own reasons. It remains a personalized distinction for every NBA supporter.

Another key point Iverson makes is that people often get caught up in the James versus Jordan debate, which ultimately serves as a subjective exercise—providing one of the more nuanced takes on the conversation.

Iverson’s reaction to LeBron joining Philadelphia

The recent arrival of James raised expectations across the board, particularly for Philadelphia fans like Iverson, who reacted enthusiastically while wishing the best for the NBA franchise.

The 76ers legend could not contain his excitement upon learning James signed with the team. “I LOVE LIFE!! GOD don’t play about me and mine,” Iverson wrote on Instagram.

“Draymond Green has agreed to return to the Golden State Warriors on a one-year, $27.7 million deal, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. The contract is the same Green opted out of to give the Warriors flexibility to pursue LeBron James, but the sides land his return Tuesday,” the insider revealed on X.

Trying to bring LeBron to the Bay meant that some of the Warriors’ core players would have to make a team-friendly deal. Ultimately, James decided to take his talents to Philadelphia, prompting Green to resume negotiations with the Warriors.

Although Green’s new deal is worth significantly less than what Stephen Curry could earn with the Warriors, the franchise has secured one of its longtime leaders. The Bay Area team will now rely on the veteran forward as it looks to compete for another NBA championship.

Green chasing his fifth NBA Championship

By returning to Golden State on a new deal, Draymond Green is locking in his commitment to the Warriors’ dynasty and setting his sights on a fifth NBA championship. Having already anchored Golden State’s defense for their title runs in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022, Green remains the fiery heart and vocal leader of the squad.

Securing one more ring would not only solidify his Hall of Fame credentials, but it would also cement his era alongside Stephen Curry as one of the most decorated core groups in basketball history.

How could Steve Kerr’s team line up next season?

Steve Kerr will remain with the Warriors for two more years, LeBron James has moved to the Eastern Conference, and Golden State managed to retain one of its franchise cornerstones. Now, the biggest question is what the team’s starting lineup will look like next season.

Although it’s still too early to know exactly what Kerr will put on the court, and much will depend on the strategy he chooses, this could be an intriguing option for the Warriors’ starting lineup:

• Stephen Curry – PG
• Brandin Podziemski – SG
• Jimmy Butler – SF
• Draymond Green – PF
• Kristaps Porzingis – C