By admin The Philadelphia 76ers are heading into the 2026 season with a very different-looking roster. They’ve got Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics, LeBron James decided Philly to be his ‘last decision,’ and they already had All-Stars in Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey alongside second-year guard VJ Edgecombe.
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That lineup on paper was enough for the Sixers to secure the maximum 34 televised games for the upcoming season and there is a reason everyone expects them to be in the championship conversation.
LeBron and JB give Philly the kind of experienced talent they were searching for, while a healthy Embiid would give them the centerpiece to dominate the paint.
NBA legend Derek Harper is also buying into what the Sixers have put together, as he believes the new additions under LeBron’s leadership could make them a team worth watching every single night.
Bron gives Philly more than just another star
By now, there are not many people who are questioning whether the roster has talent – it clearly does. The question is how all these pieces will fit together, because all the players need the ball in their hands.
Embiid is still one of the most dominant big men in the league when healthy, while Maxey has already shown that he can carry a team for meaningful stretches. Adding Brown gives Nick Nurse a two-way player who can create magical shots and defend on the perimeter.
But the former Knicks guard believes LeBron can bring something to the group that might not show up on the stat sheet.
“I don’t want to be like everybody else, I’m different,” Harper
“They’re gonna be right there… I think [LeBron’s] going to help everybody in that organization understand what it takes to be a champion… they’re picking up some little pieces that give them a little bit more depth as a team. Watch out for Philly, that’s all I can say.”
The four-time champion has really played in almost every situation the NBA can throw at a player. He has been through title runs, deep playoff exits, young rosters and veteran teams, and that experience could come in very handy for Philly.
Moreover, Harper has enjoyed watching Maxey develop, particularly in his speed and scoring ability. He can envision that the only guidance that could elevate Maxey’s ceiling is now on the court with him in the shape of the four-time league MVP.
Edgecombe could also benefit from having LeBron around, as the former first-round pick is still learning the league, and there are few better players to learn from than someone with the highest basketball IQ at 41.
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But even with that, Harper is not ready to have them above the reigning champions.
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Harper doesn’t see the Sixers as a threat to the Knicks
Harper’s confidence in LeBron and the Sixers does not mean he is ready to put the Knicks in the backseat. Harper has spent years in New York after his trade during the 1993-94 NBA season and knows how that rivalry has gone in recent years.
“I’m not worried about Philly for the Knicks, because the Knicks own Philly. You know that, and I know it. Or they have, I should say… I don’t know if that continues or not, but the Knicks play well.” Harper added.
Over the last 12 regular-season games, the Sixers have only been able to win three. On top of that, Philly fans might not forget how the championship-winning Knicks swept them in the 2026 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
However, the all-time regular-season series is much closer than Harper suggested. The 76ers have won 266 of the 480 games between the two teams, while New York has 214. Whether that continues will depend on how quickly the Sixers can build their chemistry.
Philadelphia has the star power, but it’ll be their health and personal sacrifice that will be tested over an entire season.
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This story was originally published August 18, 2026 at 12:51 AM.