The Ball Moves to Philadelphia
Decision 4.0 is finally done. LeBron James is heading to the Philadelphia 76ers. This move kicks off his 24th NBA season. Some reports suggest he might play a 25th season too. The NBA free agency market was on hold until this announcement. Now, the entire league can finally get back underway.
Philadelphia is building a massive powerhouse on paper. Their potential starting five looks scary for opponents. Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Jaylen Brown join the mix. James and Joel Embiid complete the lineup. That is five stars sharing one basketball.
Wait. Five.
That’s a lineup that makes every other front office in the league sweat. We’re talking about a group where everyone is used to being the primary option.
One ball.
Health Concerns Define the Season
The Sixers want their first NBA championship since 1983. That year came before James was even born. Winning requires keeping the team healthy for the playoffs. This strategy changes how the regular season plays out. The team will likely lean on younger, healthier stars during the 82-game marathon.
James and Embiid are both former MVPs. They might not play together often. Since his last title in 2020, James has played 74% of available games. That averages out to about 61 games per year. Embiid has played even less since winning his 2023 MVP. He has appeared in only 39% of available games. That is just 32 games per year.
If those rates hold true, the two stars share the court for fewer than 25 regular season games. This creates three distinct scenarios for the roster. Fans must project the squad with both stars. They must also project with James but without Embiid. Finally, they must look at the team without James.
When all five starters are healthy, the scoring is insane. Edgecombe showed 20-plus PPG potential in his excellent rookie season. The other four starters have averaged more than 28 PPG recently. But there is only one ball. Everyone cannot score at that level simultaneously. James will likely step back in scoring to facilitate more.
Fantasy Owners Face a Tough Choice
This roster construction creates a nightmare for fantasy managers. You cannot start five players at once. The ball distribution will be heavily skewed. James has shown the ability and willingness to facilitate. He might sacrifice points for assists and rebounds. Embiid’s health remains the biggest variable of all.
Owners must decide if James is worth the risk. His minutes might drop to protect him for the postseason. The younger stars like Maxey and Edgecombe could see huge value. They will likely get more shots when the veterans sit. Jaylen Brown’s role might shift depending on defensive needs. This is not a standard fantasy setup.
The Sixers are clearly playing the long game. They want a title, not just regular season stats. This means rest days will be frequent for the older stars. Fantasy managers who ignore this trend will get burned. You cannot rely on James playing 70 games again. The math simply does not support it this time.
What to Watch When the Season Starts
Fans should watch how often the stars play together. That number will determine the value of everyone else. If they play less than 25 games, the supporting cast explodes. Maxey and Brown become must-starts in most formats. Edgecombe could break out as a top-tier scorer.
James remains a top asset, but his floor drops. He will still provide elite all-around numbers. However, his scoring volume will likely decrease. Owners need to adjust their rosters accordingly. The Sixers will be a fascinating team to watch. Just don’t expect a traditional fantasy distribution from the veterans.
