The Philadelphia 76ers have won the LeBron James sweepstakes. The Sixers were able to land the future Hall of Famer on a 2-year $8 million deal as the move puts them squarely in contention to win their first championship since 1983.
Despite entering year 24, James is still an elite player in this league. He is still impactful in a number of ways on both ends of the floor and the Sixers will benefit greatly from his mere presence on this roster. He averaged 20.9 points during the regular season in 2025-26 and then took his game to another level in the playoffs as he averaged 23.2 points and led the Los Angeles Lakers to a playoff series win.
Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, a teammate of James' during his time with the Miami Heat as well as Wade's brief
time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, gave his thoughts on James joining Philadelphia rather than a return to the Heat:
LeBron is never going to do what you think he’s going to do. I don’t think any of us had Philly pinned as the No. 1 team, but it's right on brand.
Wade also suggested that this move is setting James up for life after basketball.
Dwyane Wade’s reaction to LeBron James joining the 76ers:
— The HEAT Realm (@WadexFlash) July 24, 2026
“LeBron is never going to do what you think he’s going to do. I don’t think any of us had Philly pinned as the No. 1 team…I don’t think he need the bread…what I got in my last year — I was thankful…I wasn’t that good… pic.twitter.com/UKBm9pjn8j
Regardless of why James signed with the Sixers, it doesn't change the fact that his presence puts Philadelphia at or near the top of the Eastern Conference. Of course, the East as a whole is going to be tough, but the Sixers should be battling the defending champion New York Knicks for supremacy in the East.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Legend Dwyane Wade gives his thoughts on LeBron James joining Sixers
