Even though the 2026-27 season has not yet begun, ESPN has already reported that 76ers star LeBron James is suffering from arthritis and sciatica.
That's hardly ideal for both LeBron and Philadelphia, of course, as his daily training reportedly requires "special attention" to his left foot. The organization is also monitoring his lower back, and both of these health concerns are worth addressing for the 76ers before they play their first preseason game since signing the four-time NBA Finals MVP.
But the reality is that even if these lingering issues force LeBron is forced to miss moderate or even significant time, this was always part of the calculus for the front office when they signed the 22-time All-Star who turns 42 later this year. These
are not new injuries but rather known issues that have lingered for a long time. Philadelphia was well aware of this when LeBron signed with the franchise.
LeBron will miss the first preseason game as he ramps up for his debut season with the franchise. So will Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Anfernee Simons.
In many ways, this roster is predicated and built on hedging health management and hoping that their top players are available as often as possible. But even if LeBron is unavailable for an extended period, it's worth remembering that the circumstances are different than usual.
When he is healthy, LeBron is expected to play a "point forward" role for the offense. His agent, Rich Paul, expects him to play almost like how the Golden State Warriors use Draymond Green.
Unlike previous stops in his career, Philadelphia did not invest significant capital or cap space to build around LeBron. Despite all the success in his career, he is the extra piece added to bolster the overall potential of the group. However, the baseline of this group does not hinge directly on what he is able to provide.
He can improve their ceiling, certainly, and can act as an ultimate utility player both during the regular season and down the stretch. But this team will only go as far as Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Jaylen Brown can take them.
If the 76ers don't get a full season from LeBron, that's more touches and more opportunity for V.J. Edgecombe or first-round pick Labaron Philon. It's a bigger role occassionally for Dean Wade or Justin Edwards, who could have otherwise potentially seen themselves a bit more buried in this crowded rotation.
This report was no shock for anyone involved, but rather a reminder that this is the version of LeBron fans will get in 2026-27 and not the exact same super-athlete he was in his 20s or even 30s.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why LeBron James' arthritis and sciatica isn't a big deal for 76ers
